Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: In the year 1997, while the United States wages war with the Soviet Union and China, the high crime rate in the United States has resulted in Manhattan being walled off and turned into a maximum-security prison. The prisoners are prevented from escaping but otherwise have full control of the city and live by their own rules. After robbing the Federal Reserve, former special forces soldier Snake Plisson is set to become the prison's newest occupant. However, after Air Force One crashes inside the prison walls and the President of the United States is taken hostage, Snake is offered a full pardon in exchange for rescuing the POTUS. If he doesn't do so in 22 hours though, he will be blown apart by micro explosives in his bloodstream. Who's in it? The movie stars Kurt Russell , Ernest Borgnine , Donald Pleasence , Lee Van Cleef and Isaac Hayes . Review: It has been more than a decade since I last watched Escape from New York, long enough for me to only remember bi...

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: Six years after Michael Myers and his niece, Jamie Lloyd, disappeared following Myers' latest attack on Haddonfield, Jamie, along with her new-born son, escape the cult that abducted her. However, Myers isn't far behind and, after killing his niece, begins searching for the child, who is the last of his bloodline. Who's in it? The movie stars Donald Pleasence , Paul Rudd , Mitchell Ryan , Marianne Hagan and Kim Darby . Review : Even though I was less than impressed with Halloween 5 when we watched it a couple nights ago, my wife and I ended up watching this film last night, mostly because we were hoping to get an explanation for some of the loose ends from the previous film. Since Halloween 5 was pretty bad, my expectations for this film weren't very high. I'm sorry to say this movie still failed to meet those expectations. One of the biggest problems with movies that have multiple sequels is you will eventually have enough character turnover ...

Synopsis: A year after his last killing spree, Michael Myers, having survived numerous police bullets, continues his search for his 9-year-old niece, who seems to have a telepathic link to him. Who's in it? The movie stars Donald Pleasence , Danielle Harris , Ellie Cornell , Beau Starr , Wendy Foxworth and Don Shanks . Review: After watching Halloween 4 the other night and being pleasantly surprised by it, I decided to take the time to watch the next movie in that series, hoping for more of the same. My wife and I did that last night and, unfortunately, this film ended up being a serious disappointment. I've watched a lot of horror movies over the years and have learned, with a few exceptions, film series like this one tend to lose something when they make the plots overly complicated. And, that was definitely the case with this film. Halloween 4, for example, kept things simple. Michael Myers woke up from a coma and went in search of his niece, killing ev...

Synopsis: After being in a comatose state for 10 years, Michael Myers awakens and starts a new Halloween killing spree as he returns to Haddonfield, Illinois in search of his 7-year-old niece. Who's in it? The movie stars Donald Pleasence , Danielle Harris , George P. Wilbur , Ellie Cornell and Kathleen Kinmont . Review: I had never taken the time to watch this movie, mostly because I haven't had a good experience with most horror movie sequels and have serious doubts about pretty much any movie installment that takes place several years after the original. However, my wife and I came across this movie a couple days ago and decided to record it. And, after watching it last night, I have to admit I was much more impressed than I expected to be. The movie, as expected, had some flaws. For example, I'm still confused about how Myers (Wilbur) knows how to drive a truck when he's been locked in an insane asylum since he was a child. Plus, considering what happen...

Synopsis : Despite being shot 6 times by Dr. Loomis and falling from a balcony, Michael Myers escapes and starts a new killing spree while hunting down hospitalized survivor, Laurie Strode. Who's in it? The movie stars Jamie Lee Curtis , Donald Pleasence , Dick Warlock , Pamela Susan Shoop and Tawny Moyer . Review: My wife and I had planned on using last night to get caught up on the shows we recorded during the week. However, I came across this film on one of our movie channels and we ended up watching it instead. While it's considered a classic, I'm actually not a huge fan of the original Halloween film, mostly because I thought it took too long to get going. But, after seeing this film for the first time in a while, I have to admit I enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. I think the thing I like most about this film is the way Myers (Warlock) doesn't waste much time going after Laurie (Curtis). Unlike the first movie, which was him mostly standing a...