Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: After a failed attempt to bond with his teenage daughter, Karen, ends with car trouble, Michael suggests visiting a local escape room while waiting for repairs. They are joined by three others and immediately begin having fun. However, it soon becomes apparent something is amiss and they eventually realize their lives are in danger. Who's in it? The movie stars Jeni Ross ,  Mark Ghanimé , Kathryn Davis , Hamza Haq and Dennis Andres. Review: My daughter wanted a horror movie for family movie night and, wanting to make sure I found something my wife and I hadn't seen before while still making sure it was suitable for her, I wound up looking for one on SyFy. This was one I've been interested in giving a try and, as it turns out, it was better than expected. I think one of the things I liked most about this film is while everything felt real, there was also just enough mystery to make it easy to question whether or not it was all part of an elaborate show. Even as...

Synopsis: Switchboard operator Ruth Russell learns she is actually Ruth Carson, the kidnapped daughter of railroad tycoon Luke Carson and agrees to take a train to New York to meet her father, not knowing the telegrammed invite is a ruse and soon realizes her life is in danger when she hears a threatening voice and one of her traveling companions is murdered. Her only hope is the quirky Godfrey D. Scott, who predicted something was amiss and is determined to prevent the crime from happening. Who's in it? The movie stars Mary Carlisle , Charles Ruggles , Una Merkel , Fred "Snowflake" Toones , Russell Hardie , Berton Churchill and Porter Hall . Review: I came across this film a couple days ago and decided to watch it while my wife took a shower and got ready for bed. It ended up being an OK film but also kind of a disappointment. The main plot was intriguing. Ruth (Carlisle) secretly being the daughter to one of the richest men in the country in itself seemed a bit too ...

Synopsis: After witnessing too much violence, Ray Owens left his life as a Los Angeles police officer to become the sheriff of the sleepy Arizona town of Sommerton Junction. However, when a notorious drug lord escapes federal custody, Ray and his inexperienced staff become the only thing keeping the fugitive and his well-armed henchmen from crossing into Mexico. Who's in it? The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger , Forest Whitaker , Johnny Knoxville , Jaimie Alexander , Eduardo Noriega and Genesis Rodriguez .  Review: My wife and I came across this movie on Netflix a couple days ago and thought the trailer made it look interesting. We wound up watching it last night and it proved to be a good choice. An aging Arnold Schwarzenegger in an action movie seemed sketchy, but he did an excellent job in the lead role, bringing just enough strength and endurance to make him the hero while still occasionally showing his age. I also thought the movie had an excellent supporting cast, o...

Synopsis: Years after leaving home because of her mother's mental illness, Rebecca's half-brother, Martin, is losing sleep for the same reason, particularly her mom's "imaginary" friend, Diana. However, after letting Martin spend the night in her apartment and encountering Diana in her living room, Rebecca begins to suspect Diana isn't imaginary after all. Who's in it? The movie stars Teresa Palmer , Gabriel Bateman , Maria Bello , Billy Burke and Alexander DiPersia.  Review: My daughters picked this film out for our family movie night, but it was already on my list because it sounded intriguing. We wound up watching it last night and, while I don't think there was anything particularly special about it, it still ended up being an entertaining choice. I think the thing I liked most about this film was the mystery surrounding Diana ( Alicia Vela-Bailey ). Was she a demon? A ghost? A manifestation of some dark thoughts in the mom (Bello)? The fact Dia...

Synopsis: Josephine Temple travels to the United States so she can sell the rare Chinese Mandarin stamp to Dr. Alexander Kirk for $50,000. However, the stamp is stolen, and she is seen leaving a room containing the murdered thief's body. Fortunately for Josephine, publisher and amateur detective Ellery Queen has become infatuated with her and wants to help. Who's in it? The movie stars  Eddie Quillan , Charlotte Henry ,  Rita La Roy ,  Wade Boteler and  George Irving. Review: I came across this movie on Paramount Plus some time ago and added it to my list. Since my wife and daughter were at martial arts last night, I decided to take the time to watch it and, overall, I ended up enjoying it. Even though I have heard of Ellery Queen, I didn't really know a whole lot about the literary character before watching this film and don't know how many liberties the movie took with the source material. However, I thought Quillan did an excellent job in that role, creating a...

My wife and I were both disappointed to learn the new CW series Gotham Knights has been cancelled after just one season. While I had some doubts about the show when I first learned about it, we both saw some potential in the series, which focuses on Bruce Wayne's adopted son, Turner Hayes ( Oscar Morgan , who, along with a group of young criminals, is hiding from authorities after being framed for his father's murder. While the cancellation was disappointing, my wife and I both agreed it wasn't unexpected. As we both decided, the show was just trying to do too much too fast. Look, I get it. In this day and age, where every network seems to have an itchy cancellation finger, I'm sure there is temptation to try to cram as much as you can into the first few episodes of a show as you try to gain an audience. The problem is that often proves to be counterproductive. As part of this argument, I'll refer to the CW's arguably most successful series, Supernatural , whic...

Synopsis: During the peak of World War I, the German Army seems to be on full retreat but is actually setting up a trap for the 1600 British troops in pursuit of them. Lance Corporals Blake and Schofield are ordered to deliver orders stopping the advancement, forcing them to cross the infamous No Man's Land. As an added incentive for carrying out the mission, Blake's older brother is one of the men about to walk into the trap. Who's in it? The movie stars Dean-Charles Chapman , George MacKay , Daniel Mays , Colin Firth and Pip Carter . Review: I've seen previews of this movie before but didn't get an opportunity to watch it until last night, while waiting for my wife to return from one of her friend's going away party. It wasn't quite what I was expecting but proved to be a good film, partly as a result of that. I think the thing I like best about this movie is the way it is filmed in two long and continuous shots. It gives the viewer the feeling of bein...

Synopsis : After totaling her car, losing her job and discovering her husband's affair over the course of a few hours, Tammy decides to leave town in her grandmother's car. There's just one catch, her alcoholic grandmother insists on going with her and, as a result, both end up getting in trouble with the law. Who's in it?  The movie stars Melissa McCarthy , Susan Sarandon , Kathy Bates , Allison Janney and Mark Duplass. You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Tammy (2014) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis: A trio of fishermen are on the ocean when they come across a seemingly abandoned yacht. After finding the body of the only passenger left on board, they decide to bring it to port, hoping to make money salvaging it. They are later thrilled when the Coast Guard gives them ownership of the vessel, allowing them to charter it out. However, the ship was once owned by a group of smugglers who come to claim the cargo they have hidden on board. Who's in it? The movie stars Chris Warfield , Sally Fraser , Dick Foote , Peter Forster and Chick Chandler. Review: My wife and daughter had martial arts tonight and, while waiting for them to get home, I decided to watch this movie. I wasn't sure what to expect from it because Paramount Plus doesn't have the greatest descriptions. However, it ended up being a decent film. I think the thing I found most entertaining about this movie was just how gullible the fishermen were. OK, to be fair, Marty (Warfield) seemed to be suspic...

Synopsis: Between 1880 and 1968, roughly 4000 Black Americans were lynched by white mobs. Many of these lynchings were commemorated through the use of photography and souvenir postcards. This documentary discusses the practice and how it was eventually used against the white supremacists.  Who's in it? The movie uses the voices of  Darian Dauchan ,  Biko Eisen-Martin ,  Jimmie Jeter , and  Kara Young. Review: I was looking for a way to kill some time while my family was still in bed this morning and after scrolling through some movies on Paramount Plus, came across this documentary. I ended up selecting it because of its short (15 minute) runtime and am glad I did. I've always found history interesting and enjoy movies and books that teach me something I didn't know about the past. This was definitely one of them and I found I both found it interesting and angering. I knew lynchings were a major problem in this country prior to the 1970s but never knew just h...

  The Body of Belmount Manor and Other Stories has become my place to write some of the fiction stories that have been floating around in my head for a few years, allowing me to write them in installments. I reached 100 episodes this week. Stories, so far, include The Body of Belmount Manor , The Caretaker, Castle of the Minotaur King , Corpse at an Ocean Resort , Death of an Intruder , The Haunting of Winchester Library , Murder at a Church Retreat and Alternate Route . As always, the first three episodes are free.

Synopsis: After decades of serving as Dracula's familiar and committing murders on his master's behalf, Renfield seeks to separate himself from his codependent relationship. However, Dracula isn't ready to let him go and, when he helps a local police officer, Renfield becomes the target of a New Orleans crime family. Who's in it? The movie stars Nicholas Hoult , Nicolas Cage , Awkwafina , Ben Schwartz and  Shohreh Aghdashloo. Review: I was intrigued when I saw trailers for this movie a few months ago but, since not all Nicolas Cage movies are the same, I wasn't interested in seeing it at the theater. It became available on Peacock this week, however, and I wasted no time watching it finally. Overall, it wasn't too bad. I wasn't really sure if I would like this movie at first. The premise was somewhat unique, focusing on an underrated character from the Dracula lore and introducing the main plot with a clever recreation of the 1931 film (substituting Cage...

Like a lot of Star Trek: The Next Generation fans, the introduction of Dr. Katherine Pulaski (Diana Muldaur ) in season 2, was an unexpected surprise that didn't go over well and other than maybe Wesley Crusher (sorry, Wil Wheaton ), I always thought of her as my least-liked character. I recently began re-watching the series on Paramount Plus and as I make my way through this infamous second season, I'm starting to realize maybe she isn't as bad of a character as I remember. If anything, the series' writers didn't do her justice. For those of you not familiar with this series, Muldaur was added to the cast after Dr. Beverly Crusher actress Gates McFadden was fired at the end of the first season. McFadden/Dr. Crusher would return in season 3, in part because of Patrick Stewart (who played Capt. Picard) wanted her back and partially because Pulaski wasn't a fan favorite. In many ways, Pulaski was actually a better character than Crusher was. She was an experien...

Synopsis: A young girl travels to Switzerland to attend an exclusive boarding school and becomes a social outcast because of her sleep walking. However, she has other things on her mind because there is a serial killer on the prowl and she believes she can use her unique insect-controlling ability to track him down. Who's in it?  The movie stars Jennifer Connelly , Daria Nicolodi , Fiori Argento , Donald Pleasence and Dalila Di Lazzaro . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Phenomena (1985) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis: A contessa, turned into a vampire by the infamous Count Dracula decades before, comes to London after hearing her "father" was finally killed and steals his body. She believes his death means she is finally free of her curse but quickly learns that is not the case and, instead, turns to a prominent psychiatrist for help. Who's in it?  The movie stars Otto Kruger , Gloria Holden , Edward Van Sloan , Marguerite Churchill and Nan Grey . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Dracula's Daughter (1936) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis : Constance Bailey is a talented detective who prefers to work without a partner. However, when a wealthy CEO dies under mysterious circumstances in Malta and she is recruited to help Interpol crack the case, Det. Bailey is paired with a dancer/actor, Sebastion Moore, to pose as one of the company's new executives and enter a corporate dance competition with her "husband." Who's in it? The movie stars Lacey Chabert , Will Kemp , Natasha Babic , Diego Wallraff and Claire Agius. Review: My wife and I recently watched another Lacey Chabert Hallmark movie and, when I saw she had this new one, I decided to add it to our library. My wife and I wound up watching it last night, and it turned out to be a decent choice. There were a couple things I liked about this movie in particular. One of the big ones was the murder mystery. Since the movie doesn't introduce us to the victim ( Steve Abela ) for more than a few seconds prior to his death, all the viewer know...

Synopsis: Website designer Kira Slater is a woman who doesn't like to take risks and is perfectly happy with her uneventful life and accountant boyfriend, Brad. So, when she inherits a South African nature reserve from an uncle she hasn't seen since she was a teenager, the news flips her world upside down. The reserve is struggling financially, and the logical and safe thing would be to sell it to a developer. However, thanks to help from one of its rangers, Tom, Kira falls in love with the scenery, animals and people, making the safe choice not so easy to make. Who's in it? The movie stars Lacey Chabert , Jon Cor , Brittany Bristow ,  Abigail Kubeka and  Jonathan Roxmouth. Review: Even though my wife and I both love watching Lacey Chabert in Hallmark films, this particular movie has been in our library for months because it sounded a bit too much like some of her other films. We finally got around to watching it last night and, while it did exceed my expectations, my ...