Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: In the late 1980s, Wil Wheaton rose to fame as a teenager after starring in the film Stand by Me and being cast as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation . He decided to leave the latter to pursue a movie career only to discover it was a mistake as he struggled to get cast in even a commercial. His autobiography talks about his life after STNG, his struggles as an actor and his blog. Review: To tell you the truth, like a lot of people, Wesley Crusher was always my least favorite character on STNG. This wasn't so much because I didn't think Wil Wheaton did an OK job as much as the writers never seemed to figure out a way to make him less annoying. And as part of that, I wasn't really a big Wil Wheaton fan until much later, when he started making guest appearances as a fictionalized version of himself on The Big Bang Theory and I had an opportunity to see just how funny he was. My decision to check this book out from the library was based more on TBBT...

Synopsis: Despite everyone believing she should open a restaurant; Portland chef Cleo Morelli is content selling sandwiches based on her grandfather's recipes from her food truck. Due to her popularity, Cleo decides to try to enter a food truck competition. However, as she tries to gain enough customer nominations, another chef, Gabe, parks his bacon-based food truck across from her, drawing a bigger crowd. The cordial competition turns into romance, but that romance is threatened when both trucks are nominated for the contest. Who's in it? The movie stars Natalie Hall , Michael Rady , Michael Karl Richards , Rhiannon Fish and Brenda Chrichlow . Review: We had a busy Memorial Day weekend and by yesterday afternoon, my wife and I were ready to crash on the couch. I was getting a bit bored with reruns of The Simpsons and after some contemplation, decided to watch this movie, which has been in our library for a while. It ended up being an OK film. The overall plot is a bit simp...

Synopsis: A pair of stepsisters reluctantly agree to dive with two friends to a sunken Mayan city. They were only going to see the entrance, but wind up deeper inside and ultimately get lost in the flooded passageways. Already running low on oxygen, they also need to fend off hungry great white sharks. Who's in it? The movie stars Corinne Foxx ,  Sophie Nélisse , Brianne Tju , Sistine Rose Stallone and Brec Bassinger. Review: Last night was family movie night (our first since our oldest returned from college) and both daughters agreed on this movie. Overall, it ended up being an OK choice, though not as good as I would have hoped. This is technically a sequel to a 2017 film we've never seen. However, it didn't have a sequel feel to it and seemed more like its own movie, which I appreciated. My wife and I also found having the movie take place in tight, flooded passageways did add a little something to the film. At minimum, it was making us feel a bit claustrophobic. I...

Synopsis: This non-fiction book discusses 365 separate world events in history that took place on each day of the year, with a bit of profanity thrown in. Review: I'm always a bit hesitant when someone gives me a book to read as a present. I tend to be a bit picky in that regard and more often than not, find I lose interest in books I didn't pick out myself. I was worried that would be the case when my wife gave me this book for Christmas, but it ended up exceeding my expectations. The author has an intriguing way of discussing the world events. This includes not holding back when it comes to the profanity as he slips in his opinion (good or bad, usually bad) regarding things that happened and the people who were responsible for those events. I will admit, at first, this was something that made me doubt whether I'd enjoy the book. But as I progressed through it and became desensitized to some of the crudeness, I was able to admit it made reading the book more enjoyable, a...

Synopsis: After his wife is murdered by red wizards, Elgin leaves the order of peacekeepers he had been working with, teams up with Holga and becomes a thief to support his young daughter, Kira. When he learns about a tablet that can bring his wife back from the dead, Elgin and his team of thieves attempt one last heist, but he and Holga are captured. They escape two years later and learn their former friend/colleague, Forge, has partnered with a red wizard to make himself a lord and, while raising Kira as his own, brainwashed the child with lies about her father. Determined to get Kira back and knock Forge down a few pegs, Elgin assembles a team to break into Forge's vault and steal both his treasure and the tablet he had sought two years earlier. Who's in it? The movie stars Chris Pine , Michelle Rodriguez , Hugh Grant , Sophia Lillis and Chloe Coleman. Review: I wasn't a big fan of the Dungeons & Dragons film that came out 23 years ago and, when I saw trailers fo...

Synopsis: An overworked construction worker is given the opportunity to clone himself, so he has more time to spend with his family. However, while the clones do succeed in making his life a little easier at first, his plan ultimately backfires and, instead of winning points with his family, his wife leaves him, and he ends up losing his job. Who's in it?  The movie stars Michael Keaton , Andie MacDowell , Zack Duhame , Harris Yulin and Eugene Levy . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Multiplicity (1996) (wizzley.com)

I will admit, I had a lot of doubts when I heard they were going to reboot one of my favorite series from my childhood. And I will also admit, the new Night Court has exceeded my expectations and has become one of my favorite must-watches. However, with the show's first season in the books and a second season likely delayed due to a writer's strike, I am going to pose the question about the lone holdover from the original series. Is it time to say goodbye to attorney Dan Fielding ( John Larroquette )? The relationship between Fielding and Judge Abby Stone ( Melissa Rauch) , the daughter of his long-time and deceased friend Harry Stone (the late Harry Anderson ) was one of the pleasant surprises from the reboot. The newer version of Fielding is less of a chauvinist and more of a father figure both to Abby and the rest of the main characters while providing a connection to the original series. However, his presence has always (at least in my opinion) felt a little bit forced. I t...

Synopsis: A family returns home from vacation and is unaware of numerous cameras that have been set up in their house. During the night, they are imprisoned inside the house and while everything is broadcast live on the internet, are stalked by a pair of killers. Who's in it? The movie stars Bella Thorne , Chandler Riggs , Ioan Gruffudd , Natalie Martinez and Maya Eshet. Review: I came across this film Sunday morning and, thinking it looked like it would at least be entertaining, wound up watching it with my wife that evening. Unfortunately, while it wasn't the worst slasher flick I've seen, it also wasn't anything special. I don't use the phrase "paint-by-number" very often, but that description fits this movie perfectly. It's just a very basic film that makes no real attempt to add any depth to its main characters and periodically adds additional characters, like an uncle and boyfriend, in an obvious attempt to up the body count. My biggest pet p...

Synopsis: When Friday the 13th actress Deborah Voorhees is murdered, her granddaughter, Kelsie, is left traumatized. Years later, other stars from the franchise are murdered, possibly by the same killer, Kelsie realizes she and her grandmother's best friend, Dee Wallace, are the primary targets. Who's in it? The movie stars Hayley Greenbauer , Dee Wallace , Kane Hodder , Judie Aronson and Corey Feldman . Review: I came across this film on Parmount Plus a while ago and added it to my list because it looked somewhat interesting. My wife and I finally watched it tonight and it proved to be a big disappointment. This is one of those films that has an intriguing premise but poor execution. There is a lot happening in the film and quite a few stars and those things, along with some questionable editing, make it difficult to keep up with who is who. I mean, I know they are all actors and actresses that starred in the horror movie franchise, but other than Hodder and Feldman, I ho...

Synopsis: Struggling performer Hector Valentini thinks he finally found his big break when he discovers Lyle, a crocodile who can dance and sing. However, Lyle's crippling stage fright causes Hector to lose his house and leave Lyle behind as he hides from creditors. When a new family moves in, Lyle befriends the son, Josh, and later the parents, changing all their lives for the better. However, their unfriendly neighbor is determined to get them evicted. Who's in it? The movie stars Winslow Fegley , Shawn Mendes , Constance Wu , Scoot McNairy and Brett Gelman . Review: None of us has ever read the children's book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and weren't really sure what to expect from this film when we first saw advertisements for it while it was at theaters. It was family movie night last night and, since it is now available on Netflix, we decided to give it a try. It ended up being better than expected. As far as family movies go, this film has a great message about over...

Synopsis: A year after abandoning his wife and son to fulfill a dream of becoming a graphic novelist, Clay Riddell is in Boston hoping to return to them. However, shortly after his own phone battery goes dead, a strange signal goes over the cell towers and everyone on their phone is turned into a mindless and rabid killer. With the whole world going crazy as a result, Clay enlists the help of train conductor and Vietnam veteran Thomas McCourt to help him travel home and find his family. Who's in it? The movie stars John Cusack , Samuel L. Jackson , Isabelle Fuhrman , Owen Teague and Stacy Keach . Review: I added this movie to my library some time ago and my wife and I decided to give it a try last night because we were intrigued by what was essentially a zombie movie based on a book by Stephen King. After watching it, our opinion of it was mixed. Zombie films tend to be a dime a dozen and I always give points to those that add some sort of uniqueness. That was the case with thi...

Synopsis: In 1962, the Italian ocean liner Antonia Graza disappeared without a trace. Forty years later, the ship is discovered abandoned and adrift by a salvage crew that intends to cash in on their find by towing the ship to port. They soon discover they aren't alone, and the ship is haunted by malevolent spirits that have already lured other ships' crews to their deaths. Who's in it?  The movie stars Julianna Margulies , Ron Eldard , Isaiah Washington , Emily Browning and Karl Urban . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Ghost Ship (2002) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis : When they discover their beloved television has been stolen, teenagers Beavis and Butt-Head go on a quest to find it. A case of mistaken identity leads to them being hired by a man looking to murder his wife and, when they accept (believing he wants them to sleep with her instead), they ultimately end up being the center of a nation-wide manhunt involving a stolen biological weapon. Who's in it?  The animated movie uses voices from Mike Judge , Bruce Willis , Demi Moore , Cloris Leachman and Robert Stack . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis: A group of Wild West settlers realize they made a mistake and decide they want to take a wagon train back to their hometowns in the east. They hire a cowboy with a checkered past to be their wagon trail master and, almost immediately, he makes decisions that cause them to question his leadership skills. To make matters worse, a businessman, worried about how news of the travelers’ journey will cause the profitable western land rush to taper off, decides to do everything he can to stop them. Who's in it?  The movie stars John Candy , Ed Lauter , Richard Lewis , Ellen Greene , Don Lake , Steve Eastin and Robin McKee . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Wagons East (1994) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis: When her friend, Brandon, brings a Ouija board to her party she helps him contact the spirit of a 10-year-old boy. When Brandon leaves the board behind at her apartment, she decides to use it by herself, something that results in the spirit trying to possess her and puts the life of her boyfriend, Jim, in danger. Who's in it?  The movie stars Todd Allen , Tawny Kitaen , Stephen Nichols , Burke Byrnes and Rose Marie . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Witchboard (1986) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis: Concerned for her safety, Nancy Drew's father makes her promise not to do any "sleuthing" while accompanying him on a business trip to Los Angeles. There's just one small problem, the house she convinced him to rent during their stay has a decades-old murder mystery attached to it and, despite her best efforts to honor her promise to her dad, Nancy just can't stop herself from trying to solve it, even when it puts her own life in danger. Who's in it?   The movie stars Emma Roberts , Amy Bruckner , Craig Gellis , Max Thieriot and Rachael Leigh Cook. You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Nancy Drew (2007) (wizzley.com)