Steven Helmer Publications

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...

Synopsis: Just days from a forced retirement at reduced benefits, veteran train engineer Frank Barnes is tasked with training an arrogant rookie conductor, Will Colston. Their routine day changes when a trainyard error sends a locomotive hauling 39 cars and dangerous chemicals hurtling down the mainline at fast speeds and without anyone driving it. After barely getting out of its path and against the wishes of their boss, Frank and Will begin chasing the train down, hoping to slow or stop it before it derails and causes a catastrophic event. Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington , Chris Pine , Rosario Dawson, Kevin Dunn and Kevin Corrigan. Review: My wife decided to work in her sewing studio last night so, after mowing my mom's lawn, I came home and settled in with a movie until she got home. I had seen Unstoppable before, but it had been a while, so I gave it another try. Overall, I still thought it was a decent choice. This is, in all honesty, a disaster movie tha...

Synopsis: With his hours at the factory cut back and his wife, Denise, starting a new job, money is tight for John Archibald and his family. When his son, Michael, collapses at a youth baseball game, doctors determine he needs a new heart. However, John learns his insurance company won't cover the $250,000 cost and the hospital won't even put Michael on the list unless he pays $75,000 up front. Despite his best efforts to raise the money, hospital administrator Rebecca Payne decides to send Michael home to die. Desperate to prevent that from happening and determined to force Payne to put Michael on the transplant list, John brings a gun to the hospital and takes both transplant surgeon Dr. Raymond Turner and the occupants of the emergency room hostage. Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington , James Woods , Anne Heche , Robert Duvall, Eddie Griffin and Ray Liotta . Review: We didn't have any plans to go out last night and instead spent our Friday at home watchi...

Synopsis: While piloting a commercial airliner from Orlando to Atlanta, Captain Whip Whitaker experiences severe mechanical issues that force him to fly the plane inverted until he is able to crash land in a field. His heroic piloting results in only six of the 102 passengers and crew losing their lives. However, Whitaker has a problem. He had been flying with both alcohol and cocaine in his system, including vodka he was drinking in the cockpit. As a result, even though the crash was clearly caused by a mechanical issue, he faces possible prison time. Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington , Kelly Reilly , John Goodman , Don Cheadle and Tamara Tunie. Review: My wife and I saved Flight to our library a couple weeks ago but held off watching it to take a break from Denzel Washington. We finally gave it a try this weekend and it ended up being not what we expected but also still a good choice. The plot of the movie is intriguing. Whitaker (Washington) performs some near-...

Synopsis: After wiping out a criminal operation at a winery in Sicily, Robert McCall is shot in the back. He manages to make it back to the Italian mainland before passing out and, after being found by a police officer, wakes up under the care of a doctor in the small town of Altamonte. As he recovers from his injury, Robert grows to love the community and begins to finally find peace. However, when he learns members of the Italian mafia are terrorizing the residents, he decides to once again take matters into his own hands. Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington , Dakota Fanning ,  Eugenio Mastrandrea , David Denman and  Remo Girone . Review: After deciding not to go out for karaoke last night, my wife and I instead decided to watch The Equalizer 3 and finish up the trilogy. After watching it, I can honestly say I liked it better than the second one but am not convinced this needed to be more than one movie. I did like the fact the movie didn't attempt to do too mu...

Synopsis: After successfully taking down the Russian mafia's operations in Boston, Robert McCall works as a Lyft driver while secretly using his fighting skills and government connections to help people in need. Things turn personal for Bob when his long-time friend, Susan Plummer, is murdered in Belgium and he realizes someone is targeting former employees of the agency he used to work for. Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington , Pedro Pascal , Ashton Sanders , Orson Bean and Bill Pullman. Review: After being pleasantly surprised by The Equalizer a couple nights ago, my wife and I decided to watch The Equalizer 2 last night. While it turned out to be an OK movie it was, like many sequels, a big step down from the original. I'll start out with the good. The action scenes are pretty intense and fun to watch while, at times, also being filmed in a way that adds a little extra anxiety (I mean that last part in a good way). There are also plenty of times when Bob...

Synopsis: Boston hardware store employee Robert "Bob" McCall is beloved by his coworkers but never discusses his violent past. Due to insomnia, Bob frequents an all-night diner, where he drinks tea and reads books. While there, he befriends Alina, a 17-year-old who is being sex trafficked by members of the Russian mafia. When Alina is severely beaten and hospitalized, Bob attempts to buy her freedom. When his peaceful offer is rejected, he sets aside a vow he made to his late wife and returns to his violent ways to both assist Alina and the mafia's other local victims. Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington , Chloë Grace Moretz , Martin Csokas , David Harbour and Haley Bennett . Review: Since I've never been a fan of the 1980s television series it was based on, I had never taken the time to watch The Equalizer in the more than a decade it has been out. However, after scrolling through several movies last night and being unable to settle on one with my...

Synopsis: When a terrorist blows up a ferry in New Orleans, ATF Agent Doug Collins is called in to help with the investigation. He discovers a link between the bombing and a murdered woman, Claire Kuchever, and his detective skills earn him an invite to join a team using a new technology that lets them see 4 days and 6 hours into the past. At first, the use of the technology is about finding clues to help them find the killer. However, Collins soon realizes the technology might allow them to change the past and save lives. Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington , Paula Patton , Val Kilmer ,  Jim Caviezel and Adam Goldberg. Review: My wife and I finished watching another movie last night and, when Deja Vu came on right after, decided to just leave it on. At first, the film seemed like it had an intriguing plot but after watching it, I came away feeling like it just wasn't as good as it could have been. As I told my wife, I think this would have worked better as a tel...

Synopsis: After being accused of accepting a bribe when researching and recommending trains for the New York City subway, Walter Garber is reassigned to the dispatch center pending the outcome of the investigation. When one of the train cars is taken hostage by a group of men demanding a $10,000 ransom and refusing to talk to the police, it is up to him to keep the group's leader from killing passengers. Who's in it? The movie stars Denzel Washington , John Travolta , John Turturro , James Gandolfini and Victor Gojcaj . Review: My wife had the TV remote while I grabbed a shower last night and, when I came into the living room, I saw she had picked out this film, which was airing on one of our movie channels. This is a movie she has wanted to see for a few years now but we never got around to watching it. So, after making some popcorn, we ended up doing just that. And, overall, it ended up being an OK movie. To be honest, part of the reason why it took us so long t...