Steven Helmer Publications

To be clear, I'm not complaining. I would much rather have it be hot and humid outside than cold and damp. However, it does feel a bit as though Wisconsin once again skipped spring this year or at minimum, had a very abbreviated season. In any case, I did get out for a walk today and, unlike yesterday, when the weather was identical, but I saw very few signs of life, I did manage to get some photos. Here is a selection of them. ________________________________________________________________________ Here are some other lunchtime walk photos I've taken: Lunchtime Walk Photos (5/11/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos 5/16/2018 Lunchtime Walk Photos 8/14/2017 Lunchtime Walk Photos 8/21/2017

Synopsis: When his train conductor father is killed in an intentionally caused wreck, pilot Larry Baker vows to find the man responsible for both that crash and a series of other wrecks plaguing the L & R Railroad. This proves to be more difficult than expected when he learns "the Wrecker" is able to disguise himself as anyone. Who's in it? The movie stars John Wayne, Shirley Grey, Conway Tearle, Tully Marshall and Edmund Breese. Review: This may make me sound a bit un-American, but I've never been a huge fan of John Wayne movies. Look, the man was a legend and I'm not denying that. It's just his most famous films essentially have him playing the same character in a different setting, to the point I can't identify the movie on sight, just that it is a John Wayne film. That said, when I came across The Hurricane Express , I was intrigued. It was a film that starred Wayne before he was a household name and that, along with what sounded like an intere...

I didn't get out with my camera all that much this weekend, other than a few minutes to try out the tripod I bought. I did, however, snap this birdfeeder photo yesterday afternoon, just because my camera was handy when the bird landed. ________________________________________________________________ Here are some other birdfeeder photos: Bird Feeder Photos 4/28/2018 and 4/29/2018 Bird Feeder Photos 11/10/2018 Bird Feeder Photo Bird Feeder Photos 2/22/2020

Synopsis: Getting his first big break in show business as a writer for comedian Sid Caesar , Mel Brooks has been entertaining people as a writer, director and actor for decades, winning Academy Awards and changing the comedy landscape with films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein . In this autobiography, Brooks tells his story and talks about the people who impacted his life along the way. Review: If I were to ever compile a list of my all-time favorite directors, I am confident the majority of them would be horror film directors. However, even if that did turn out to be the case, I think I can say with absolute (well maybe 99 percent) certainty Mel Brooks would probably wind up on the top. The man is a comedy legend, and I find myself quoting his movies practically daily. As a result of this, when I was able to get a copy of his autobiography All About Me! through the local library, I did. And, since it was a holiday weekend, I was able to get through it over the course o...

It's Memorial Day and with my annual trip to local cemeteries to pay respects to family members who served (including my dad and grandfather) already behind me, it likely will be a day when I end up watching some of the many war movies that are bound to be on TV. While I'm not a huge war movie fan, there are some that are must-watches whenever I come across them on one of my movie channels. Some of these are obvious choices, others might be a surprise, especially when compared to better-known films but they just speak to me. Below are my five favorites but, before watching, please be sure to take a moment to remember and thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Glory (1989) This movie, in my opinion is THE movie to watch if you want a Civil War film. It's one of Matthew Broderick 's best roles and he had a strong supporting cast that includes Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington . There are some great, realistic battle scenes and a solid story (though maybe not comp...

James took a seat at his desk, calmly leaning back in his chair as though it was just a normal, ordinary night and there wasn’t a man standing near the door of his den holding a .38-caliber revolver. “Take a seat, Mr…” James started to say. “Watson,” the armed man responded. “Matt Watson.” “Please make yourself comfortable, Mr. Watson,” James said. “Can I call you Matt?” Matt nodded and walked over to a worn couch on the far wall. Pushing up the glasses he wore on his thin, unshaven face, he scanned the room cautiously. “There aren’t any weapons, if that’s what you’re worried about,” James told him. “And as luck would have it, I left my phone in the kitchen.” James could see Matt studying him, trying to read his tone of voice and facial expressions. “I have no reason to lie to you, Matt,” James said. “I am willing to cooperate fully and get out of here alive. You just need to tell me what you want. I should tell you, however, I don’t have a lot of money in the house or really anything ...