Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Getting his first big break in show business as a writer for comedian Sid Caesar , Mel Brooks has been entertaining people as a writer, director and actor for decades, winning Academy Awards and changing the comedy landscape with films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein . In this autobiography, Brooks tells his story and talks about the people who impacted his life along the way. Review: If I were to ever compile a list of my all-time favorite directors, I am confident the majority of them would be horror film directors. However, even if that did turn out to be the case, I think I can say with absolute (well maybe 99 percent) certainty Mel Brooks would probably wind up on the top. The man is a comedy legend, and I find myself quoting his movies practically daily. As a result of this, when I was able to get a copy of his autobiography All About Me! through the local library, I did. And, since it was a holiday weekend, I was able to get through it over the course o...

Synopsis: New Yorkers Skip Donahue and Harry Monroe are wrongfully accused and convicted of a bank robbery in Arizona. When the warden discovers Skip has a natural talent for riding bulls, the two friends and some of their fellow inmates come up with a plan to escape during the prison's upcoming rodeo. Who's in it?  The movie stars Gene Wilder , Richard Pryor , JoBeth Williams , Craig T. Nelson , Barry Corbin and Erland van Lidth. You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Stir Crazy (1980) ___________________________________________________________ Here are some reviews of other 1980s comedies: Movie Review: Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) Movie Review: Teen Wolf (1985) Movie Review: Clue (1985) Movie Review: Back to School (1986)

Synopsis: Actor Gene Wilder tells his life story from his childhood in Milwaukee through his battle with cancer, sharing stories about the people he met, the women he slept with and the demons he faced while becoming famous. Review : I was reminded about this autobiography when I came across an old interview and Gene Wilder (always one of my favorites) mentioned it. I was intrigued enough to take advantage of my local library's book exchange service and ask them to obtain it for me. I read it over the weekend and am glad I did. I've read quite a few autobiographies in my lifetime, but this was the first time I remember reading one and hearing the author's voice reading the words to me in my head. In fact, had I not known anything about the book before reading it, I am confident I'd be able to tell you who wrote it because it was written in a way that reminded me of how Wilder sounded when he talked. I think the thing that surprised me most about this book was, even th...

Synopsis: Ashamed of his grandfather and his family's legacy, American physician Dr. Frederick Frankenstein goes out of his way to distance himself from his grandfather's experiments. However, when he inherits his grandfather's estate and discovers his grandfather's journal, he changes his mind and successfully reanimates his own creature. However, because of a bad brain, the monster is unstable and quickly begins to terrorize the already-leery villagers. Who's in it? The movie stars Gene Wilder , Peter Boyle , Teri Garr , Madeline Kahn , Marty Feldman , Cloris Leachman and Kenneth Mars . Review: The first time I remember watching this movie was when I was a little younger than my 8-year-old daughter. My mom worked nights and, while my dad was asleep in the recliner, my brother and I snuck out into the living room to watch it. At the time, I didn't fully understand it was supposed to be a comedy and, because of that, didn't really like the movie...