Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis : After moving to Oregon with their mother, two brothers discover a seemingly bottomless hole hidden under a trap door in the basement of their new home. Soon after, their deepest fears begin manifesting themselves and putting their lives in danger. Who's in it? Chris Massoglia, Haley Bennett , Nathan Gamble, Bruce Dern and Teri Polo star in the movie. Review: I ended up watching The Hole the other day, mostly because of a mix of boredom and not finding anything else. I vaguely remembered watching this movie in the past but not enough to know if it was a film I had enjoyed. I still don't remember my opinion from the first time I saw it but my opinion today is a good one. There were a couple things I really liked about this movie. The first was, unlike so many other horror films, there wasn't an unneeded an emphasis on blood and gore and did not throw in any gratuitous nude scenes (unless you count Bennett wearing a bikini when swimming). Instead, the movie focu...

Synopsis: On Valentine's Day in 1997, Tom Hanniger forgets to vent the methane lines at his father's coal mine and causes an explosion that traps six of the miners. One of the trapped miners, Harry Warden, kills the other five to conserve oxygen and, after waking up from a 1-year-long coma, goes on a killing spree before being buried alive in one of the mineshafts. Ten years later, the long-absent Tom returns to his hometown after his father's death to sell the mine only to become a suspect when a killer dressed in a gas mask and mining attire begins a new wave of murders. Who's in it? The movie stars Jensen Ackles , Jaime King , Betsy Rue, Kerr Smith and Tom Atkins . Review: I had planned on taking my wife out for Valentine's Day last night, but it was my mom's birthday and after celebrating that, along with my wife needing to run some errands, we decided to just stay in. After a few minutes of consideration, I decided to "celebrate" by re-watching...

Synopsis: Seeking to earn a partnership in her father’s company, Sam agrees to oversee the demolition of a remote apartment building designed by a notorious the architect known for murdering people and entombing his victims within its walls. Shortly after learning more about the hotel’s history, Sam also learns her life is in danger. Who's in it?  The movie stars Mischa Barton , Deborah Kara Unger, Cameron Bright, Eugene Clark and Pascal Greggory. Review: I came across this movie earlier this week and, mostly because it had been a while since I last watched it, I decided to give it a try again while I had the house to myself. My opinion remains mixed. There were some good things about the movie. The nearly empty apartment building, for example, had a creepy vibe to it even before its history was revealed and the few people that still lived in it only helped to add to that creepiness. This included the Norman Bates-like Jimmy (Bright). He seemed friendly but it was also obvious th...

Synopsis: In an effort to calm her scared children, a mother squirrel decides to tell the story of a little mouse who travels through the woods in search of something to eat. When the mouse encounters three different predators, a fox, an owl and a snake, he avoids being eaten by scaring them with his description of the fictional Gruffalo. There's just one problem, the Gruffalo is real, and his favorite food is mouse. Who's in it?  The animated movie uses voices from Helena Bonham Carter , John Hurt , James Corden , Robbie Coltrane and Tom Wilkinson . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: The Gruffalo (2009)

Synopsis: A group of National Guard deserters, looking to escape the zombie apocalypse, steal a ferry boat and travel to Plum Island. There, they end up in the middle of a blood feud between two family heads. One wants to kill all the zombies while the other believes humans can live in relative harmony with the undead if the latter can be taught to eat something other than human flesh. The movie stars  Alan van Sprang ,  Kenneth Welsh ,  Kathleen Munroe ,  Richard Fitzpatrick ,  Athena Karkanis  and  Eric Woolfe . You can read my review of Survival of the Dead here:  Movie Review: Survival of the Dead (2009) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis: Two days after a spelunking expedition with her friends goes horribly wrong, a hysterical Sarah is found by authorities, covered in blood and unable to tell them what happened. Determined to get to the truth and not knowing the trauma Sarah had gone through, a local sheriff insists she return to the caves with him and a rescue party, only to discover the same subterranean humanoids she had escaped. Who's in it? The movie stars Shauna Macdonald , Michael J. Reynolds , Jessika Williams , Natalie Mendoza and Anna Skellern . Review: Since my wife and I had enjoyed the first movie and it was still reasonably early in the evening, we decided to watch the sequel, The Descent: Part 2 last night as well. While not as enjoyable as the first film, it proved to be a good selection as well. I'll start out by saying the first part of this movie is extremely confusing, especially if you watch it immediately following the first film. The beginning of this movie and the end of th...

Synopsis: Waitress and single mother Jess is invited by one of her customers to go with him and his friends while cruising on his yacht, the Triangle. When the sailboat encounters a storm, it is capsized in the ocean. One of the passengers is swept away but the others, including Jess, believe they are saved when a passenger liner arrives. Only, the ship appears to be deserted except for one other person, who is trying to kill them. I should also mention the killer is Jess. Or at least a future version of herself. Who's in it? The movie stars Melissa George , Liam Hemsworth , Michael Dorman , Joshua McIvor and Rachel Carpani . Review: My wife is feeling under the weather, a combination of a cold and just being on the go the past few days. As a result, I made her some soup yesterday evening and we settled down to watch a movie while waiting for the thunderstorm outside to pass. I picked this one because, from the description, it sounded like a basic slasher movie. As it turns out...

Synopsis: Back in 1986, Adelaide becomes separated from her parents at a carnival at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and wanders into a funhouse where she is traumatized by a reflection that seemingly comes to life. More than 30 years later, she returns to the area on a vacation with her husband and kids when a group of doppelgangers attacks them at their cabin. Who's in it? The movie stars  Lupita Nyong'o ,  Winston Duke ,  Elisabeth Moss ,  Tim Heidecker and  Shahadi Wright Joseph .  Review: My wife and I both like Jordan Peele movies and this one has been on our list for some time as a result. We finally got around to watching it tonight and it didn't disappoint. There were a number of ways this movie could have gone and one of those ways was it could have turned out to be very dull. That fortunately turned out not to be the case and instead, the film was both entertaining and creepy. I think the thing that I liked most about this film was the mystery ...

Synopsis:   Three friends formed a mystery-solving team when they were kids and, now 18, are still together and still solving child-like cases. Eager to prove they are capable of doing more, they allow a young girl to hire them and begin investigating a double homicide involving her parents. However, because of their cluelessness, they may be in over their heads. Who's in it?   The movie stars Donald Glover , D. C. Pierson , Dominic Dierkes , Aubrey Plaza and Glenn Kalison . You can read the review here:  Movie Review: Mystery Team (2009) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis: After losing their unborn baby, Kate and John decide to adopt a sister for their son and daughter and find the perfect fit with a 9-year-old orphan from Russia, Esther. However, when Esther is accused of hurting another child and the nun who oversaw her adoption is murdered, Kate begins to suspect something is off about her adoptive daughter but, while she fears for her family's safety, both her husband and therapist believe it is all in her head. Who's in it? The movie stars  Vera Farmiga ,  Peter Sarsgaard ,  Isabelle Fuhrman ,  CCH Pounder and  Jimmy Bennett . Review: My wife checked this movie out from the library because multiple people had recommended it to her. It was the first time I had heard about it but, after watching it with her last night, I had to admit it was a lot better than I was expecting it to be. I think the thing I liked most about this movie was the mystery surrounding Esther (Fuhrman). There was a lot her adoptive parents (S...

Synopsis : Still recovering from a recent breakup, Scott Teller reluctantly agrees to let a couple, Ryan and Mary, become his new roommates and, as they become friends, agrees to let them help him avoid rushing into a new relationship. However, when he does meet someone, Leslie, his roommates seem to be going out of their way to interfere with his new relationship and keep it from progressing. Who's in it? The movie stars Brandon Routh , Jesse Bradford , Sophia Bush , Jennifer Morrison and Johnny Galecki . Review: I am going to confess something; I checked this movie out from our local library believing (based on the description) it was a thriller and not a comedy. However, even though I still think it could have been a halfway decent thriller, I did admittedly enjoy the comedy version of this film too. I think the thing I liked most about this film was the mystery surrounding Ryan (Bradford) and Mary (Bush). Right off the bat, it was obvious there was something a little off abo...

Synopsis: A bus full of college students gets lost in the desert and breaks down in an abandoned Old West town. While searching for a phone and debating how to get home, the students discover the town is haunted by a murderous ghost and his gang. Who's in it? The movie stars Jessica Rose , Randy Wayne , Gil Gerard , Billy Drago and Annabelle Wallis. Review: Christmas was over, so my wife looked for a horror film for us to watch last night. After scrolling through a couple choices, she settled on this one. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good as we were hoping it would be. The overall premise of this movie wasn't a terrible one though, admittedly, it did feel like a ripoff of other films we've seen. A film that takes place in the middle of nowhere with no easy escape and villains that can't be killed (because they are already dead) had a lot of potential. The problem was the movie really never achieves that potential. I think the biggest problem with the movie is th...

Synopsis: A pair of brothers and their female companions are traveling to a deserted beach resort in an effort to wait out a viral plague that has wiped out most of humanity. When they have car problems, they agree to travel with a stranger named Frank, who is trying to get his infected daughter to a hospital. The partnership quickly leads to tension as hard decisions need to be made. Who's in it? The movie stars Chris Pine , Lou Taylor Pucci , Piper Perabo , Emily VanCamp and Christopher Meloni . Review: I came across this movie on Netflix a couple weeks ago and, quite honestly, wasn't really all that interested in watching it. I recognized Chris Pine and Piper Perabo but the description reminded me a bit too much of the low-budget zombie movies we've been disappointed by in the past. However, I was in the mood for a movie last night and, not finding anything that both looked interesting and fit in the allotted amount of time we had to watch it, decided to giv...

Synopsis: An aspiring young chef in jazz era New Orleans dreams of fulfilling her deceased father's dream of owning a restaurant despite having an economic disadvantage. Her efforts are put on hold when a visiting prince is turned into a frog and her attempts to break the spell with a kiss result in her being changed into a frog as well. Who's in it? The animated movie uses voices from Anika Noni Rose , Bruno Campos , Keith David , Jennifer Cody and John Goodman . Review:  My youngest daughter insisted on having some family movie time on Sunday so, after searching several options on Netflix, I wound up settling on this Disney film, mostly because it was a movie she hadn't seen yet. I remember watching this movie not long after it first came out and not enjoying it all that much. However, for my daughter's sake, I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and watch it a second time. Unfortunately, as it turns out, I still found I didn't enjoy this f...

Synopsis: Ever since attending at wedding at the Plaza Hotel 20 years earlier, best friends Olivia and Emma have been planning their own dream weddings at the same venue with plans to serve as each other's maid of honor. When they both become engaged at the same time, it seems as though their dream will come true. However, when a clerical error causes both of their weddings to be scheduled for the same date and, since neither refuse to give up their reservation, the quickly become each other's worse enemy. Who's in it?  The movie stars Anne Hathaway , Kate Hudson, Chris Pratt , Steve Howey and Candice Bergen. Review: When this movie first came out in 2009, I looked at the trailer and thought it would be a horrible film. However, I wound up reluctantly watching it with my wife when it first came out on DVD and, to my surprise, I found I liked it. As it turns out, I came across this film again a couple days ago, and, after seeing it again, I found I still enjoyed it. Ev...

Synopsis: Journalist Rebecca Bloomwood dreams of writing for the fashion magazine Alette and, as part of a master plan to land that dream job, applies for and accidentally lands a job at its sister publication, Successful Savings . Her financial advice column is a big hit. There's just one problem, she's secretly a compulsive shopper, has more than $16,000 in credit card debt and is being hunted down by bill collectors. Who's in it? The movie stars Isla Fisher , Hugh Dancy , Krysten Ritter, Joan Cusack , John Goodman and Robert Stanton . Review: I had a pretty full day on Saturday, spending most of the day at my youngest daughter's dance recital (she had two shows) before volunteering for a couple hours at the ice rink's open skate. As a result of this, even though I did manage to get a few chores done on Sunday, I was pretty drained and, between that and the weather, wound up spending a good chunk of the day watching movies with my wife. This is a f...

Synopsis: With Earth overpopulated to the point it will self destruct, the star ship Elysium is launched on a 123-year mission to repopulate the human race on a distant world. During the course of the ship's mission, two crew members are awakened from hypersleep to discover the ship is without power and the crew they were supposed to relieve are missing. Upon further examination, they learn the ship's nuclear reactor is offline and the vessel is under the control of a tribe of human-like cannibals. Who's in it? The movie stars Dennis Quaid , Ben Foster, Cung Le , Norman Reedus and Antje Traue. Review: I came across this film on one of our movie channels a couple days ago and, realizing I have never watched it, decided to record it. My wife and I finally got around to watching it last night and, while it was OK, I can't say it was anything special. On the surface, the plot has a lot of potential. After all, the movie takes place on board a space ship that i...

Synopsis: When master thief calling himself The Tornado steals priceless artifacts from around the world (including the Pink Panther Diamond), Inspector Clouseau is promoted from his duties as parking officer and assigned to a team of super detectives. However, his constant bumbling puts him jeopardy of being kicked off the team and embarrassing France and, at the same time, he is on the verge of losing the love of his life, Nicole. Who's in it? The movie stars Steve Martin , Jean Reno , Emily Mortimer , Andy Garcia and John Cleese . Review: The cats got me out of bed really early yesterday morning and, while trying to wake up, I ended up watching this film after coming across it on one of our movie channels. It had been a while since I had seen the movie and I didn't remember much about it as a result. However, it turned out to be an entertaining way to wait for the rest of the family to get out of bed. While not as good as the first movie and maybe not as good a...

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...

Synopsis : Overweight and mild-mannered mall cop Paul Blart has a hard time earning the respect of those he is trying to protect at a New Jersey shopping mall. However, when a team of criminals enter the mall and take hostages, he has an opportunity to be a hero. Who's in it? The movie stars Kevin James , Keir O'Donnell , Jayma Mays , Raini Rodriguez and Bobby Cannavale . Review: I've seen this movie before. But, the last time I actually watched it in its entirety was several years ago and, because of that, I didn't remember too much about it. So, when I came across it on one of our movie channels last night, I decided to watch it again. And, as it turns out, I enjoyed every minute of it. To tell you the truth, from the description at least, this doesn't seem like a movie I would normally enjoy watching. This is mostly because, at least from first glance, it looked like a movie that would focus mostly on fat jokes and other crude humor. That, however, is...