Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Sach Jones buys an old lamp at the pawn shop and is surprised to discover it contains a genie willing to grant his every wish, something his friend Slip Mohoney quickly tries to capitalize on as well. However, the lamp is soon stolen by a group of gangsters working for Duke Dolan who, after learning the genie can only grant wishes made by Sach and Slip, attempt to abduct the pair as well. Meanwhile, a pair of Arabs are also hunting for the lamp and join in the chaos. Who's in it? The movie stars Leo Gorcey , Huntz Hall , Bernard Gorcey , Eric Blore and Robert Bice. Review: When I came across Bowery to Bagdad this morning, I had quite a few doubts about the film. Bowery Boys movies, especially some of the later ones, have always been a bit hit-or-miss for me and this seemed like one that was taking things a little too out of the realm of believability. However, I watched it this morning and it turned out to be one of my favorites. As is the case with other later films...

Synopsis: A successful cosmetic company owner, Janice Starlin is informed sales are decreasing because she is the face of the company and her customers see her getting noticeably older. When the eccentric Dr. Eric Zinthrop shows he can reduce aging with a serum he created using royal jelly from a queen wasp, Janice agrees to fund his research on the condition she is used as one of his test subjects. The serum works and she is soon twenty years younger. However, the serum comes with an unexpected side effect, she periodically turns into a deadly wasp-like creature. Who's in it? The movie stars Susan Cabot , Anthony Eisley , Michael Mark, Barboura Morris and William Reorick. Review: I am a fan of most Roger Corman movies and when I came across The Wasp Woman on Amazon Prime, I decided to add it to my watch list as a result. Truthfully, it wasn't one of my favorites from the director, but I also didn't hate it. The film is pretty much what you'd expect from a movie ma...

Synopsis: From the time she was a little girl, Wong Liu Tsong wanted to be an actress and gets an opportunity to do so as a teenage when she is discovered while working as a movie extra. Going by the stage name Anna May Wong, she quickly rises to international fame. However, her Chinese American heritage and skin color continue to provide an obstacle to her dreams of being a leading lady who isn't typecast by racist Hollywood while her chosen profession creates a rift between her and her father. Review: To be perfectly honest, I had a lot of doubts about The Brightest Star when I reserved a copy of it through my local library. While I am, as I've mentioned in the past, a fan of old movies and Hollywood history, I wasn't sure what to expect from a book that is based on the life of a real celebrity but told in a way that even the author describes as fiction. Still, I gave it a shot while hiding indoors from the cold this weekend and it turned out to be a book I couldn'...

Synopsis: Shortly after her blind and wealthy husband is killed in an explosion, a woman starts seeing him in her dreams. When her dreams become more realistic, she begins to suspect both her deceased husband and a mysterious lover really are visiting her and enlists her husband's attorney to help her figure out the truth. Who's in it?  The movie stars Robert Taylor , Barbara Stanwyck , Judi Meredith, Hayden Rorke and Rochelle Hudson. Review: Everyone was still in bed this morning and it was too early/too cold so shovel snow so I decided to use my alone time to watch a movie. I recently came across The Night Walker again and since I didn't remember much about it, decided to give it another try. It turned out to be a good choice. Even though this movie is classified in the horror/thriller, I disagreed and wouldn't put it in that category The somewhat bizarre wedding scene was a little creepy, but the movie never reached a point where it was overly intense or even suspen...

Multiple reports state the Green Bay Packers have agreed to a multi-year extension with Head Coach Matt LaFleur, as well as General Manager Brian Gutekunst, choosing to make a renewed commitment to both despite the former losing to the division rival Chicago Bears in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs last week. Assuming the reports are true, speculation (and hope from some fans) about Matt LaFleur being fired or traded proved to be just that. Ultimately though, it was ultimately the most logical outcome for both the team and LaFleur himself. So logical in fact, we probably should never have doubted it. The idea of Green Bay parting with LaFleur because of a playoff loss always seemed knee jerk and out of character for a franchise that has had just 15 head coaches (not counting interim coaches) in its nearly 107-year history. It is a team that knows the value of patience and stability when it comes to coaches. At least in hindsight, it was kind of ridiculous to think they would be...

Synopsis: Four years after escaping and killing the Grabber, a 17-year-old Finn is struggling to feel normal again. Meanwhile, his sister, Gwen begins having dreams about their mom, three murdered boys and a campground at Alpine Lake. After convincing a reluctant Finn to go with her under the pretense of being counselors in training, the brother and sister, along with Gwen's boyfriend, Ernesto, soon find themselves snowed in by a blizzard and targeted by the Grabber's spirit, who is seeking revenge on Finn by targeting Gwen through her dreams. Who's in it? The movie stars Ethan Hawke , Mason Thames , Madeleine McGraw , Arianna Rivas and Jeremy Davies. Review: It's cold and snowy outside so my wife and I decided to just spend the day at home. After re-watching The Black Phone this afternoon, we made ourselves comfortable on the couch to watch Black Phone 2. I've said this before and I'll say it again, not every movie needs a sequel. This is a good example of ...