Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: After committing what they hope will be their last armed robbery on their way to a new life in Florida, Mickey and his girlfriend, Jules, run out of gas and break into a nearby home in the hopes of either stealing the car in the garage or gas. While searching the house, they come across a young girl chained in the basement and soon after encounter the home's owners, George and Gloria. When an attempt to rescue the girl, Sweetiepie fails because of the girl's surprising reluctance to leave, Mickey and Jules are taken captive by the other couple with little hope for escape and their lives likely in danger. Who's in it? The movie stars  Bill Skarsgård , Maika Monroe , Jeffrey Donovan, Kyra Sedgwick and Blake Baumgartner. Review: My wife and I had discussed going out tonight, but she has a potential modeling gig tomorrow (weather pending) and my bucket-list archaeology dig earlier today took a bit more out of me than expected. So, as usually happens, we found a mov...

Synopsis: After superhuman David Dunn, now known as the Overseer, tracks down Kevin Wendall Crumb, aka the Horde, and frees the teenagers Crumb has kidnapped, the two men battle it out but are soon both captured by a team led by Dr. Ellie Staple, who institutionalizes the men in the same facility currently holding supervillain Elijah Price, who now calls himself Mr. Glass. Dr. Staple tells the men their powers aren't real and instead are the result of delusions created by a brain condition she believes she can surgically correct. Glass, however, suspects they are being lied to and works out an escape plan that will also expose the truth. Who's in it? The movie stars Samuel L. Jackson , James McAvoy , Bruce Willis , Anya Taylor-Joy and Sarah Paulson. Review: My wife and I planned on watching Glass last summer, after first watching Unbreakable and Split . However, the movie wasn't available on any of our streaming services or at our library and I wasn't sure I'd...

Synopsis: High school senior Cal has a deceased dad, a mom he rarely sees and is constantly bullied at school by members of the football team, especially the star quarterback, Vic. The only things he has going for him as he waits until graduation and the opportunity to escape via college are his new girlfriend, Cecily, and the stray dog he adopted, Runt. When his confrontations with Vic lead to both Cecily and Runt becoming victims, it triggers a downward and violent spiral Cal may not be able to recover from. Who's in it? The movie stars Cameron Boyce, Jason Patric , Aramis Knight, Gabrielle Haugh , Cyrus Arnold , Charlie Gillespie and Brianna Hildebrand . Review: My wife decided to pick out last night's movie and ultimately settled on Runt , which was a film she saw a clip from some time ago and added to our library. I don't think the movie turned out to be what she was expecting it to be. It turned out to be, however, an intriguing albeit depressing drama. What helpe...

Synopsis: While driving to San Diego with her brother, Cal, Becky Demuth gets sick and they need to pull over on the side of the road. When they hear a child calling for help from the nearby tall grass, they decide to find him. However, when they get separated and can't find each other or the road, it becomes apparent there is something else going on. Who's in it? The movie stars Laysla De Oliveira, Patrick Wilson , Avery Whitted, Will Buie, Jr.  and Harrison Gilbertson. Review: My wife had a photoshoot yesterday and as is often the case, was wiped out afterwards. She ended up in bed early last night as a result, so I found a movie to watch. This ended up being In the Tall Grass. I saw this movie when it originally became available on Netflix and, while I remembered parts of it, couldn't remember if it was a movie I enjoyed. After re-watching it, I decided it was an OK film but nothing I'd consider memorable. I think the biggest problem with this movie (and possibly t...

Synopsis: Gotham City is facing a new villainous threat, Shredder and his Foot Clan have teamed with Ra's al Ghul and the League of Assassins to turn all Gotham's residents into mutants. As Batman attempts to save the day, he finds himself teaming with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, their alliance is threatened when the turtles prove to be too undisciplined for Batman. Who's in it? The animated movie uses voices from Troy Baker, Eric Bauza, Tom Kenny , Tara Strong and John DiMaggio. Review: I was flipping through channels this morning, looking for something to watch (or at least provide some background noise) while I had breakfast and came across Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles . While I rolled my eyes at first, I was also admittedly intrigued and decided to watch it.  It was about what I expected, and I mean that both in a good and bad way. I'll start out by saying the plot of the movie was surprisingly good. The team-up between Shredder (Andrew ...

Synopsis: Five years after Thanos erased half the universe's population before destroying the Infinity Stones, the surviving Avengers are beginning to accept what happened and move on with their lives. However, when Scott Lang/Ant-Man returns after being trapped in the Quantum Realm, he comes back with a plan, travel back in time to retrieve the stones so they can undo what Thanos did. There's just one problem; an earlier version of Thanos has figured out the plan. Who's in it? The movie stars Robert Downey, Jr. , Paul Rudd , Scarlett Johansson , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth . Review: My wife and I binge watched the various Avenger movies a few years ago but stopped one short and never took the time to watch Avengers: Endgame , mostly because we couldn't find time to slip a 3-hour-long film into our schedule. We finally decided to do that yesterday evening and weren't disappointed. With very few exceptions, movies that are longer than 2 hours ra...

Synopsis: Still in mourning over the murder of his fiancée, American Casey Reynolds moves to England and takes a job at a small museum. While sorting through artifacts, he discovers an old Jack in the box toy and turns the handle to make the clown pop out. What Casey doesn't know is the "Jack" in this toy is also a demon and, now that it's been released, will kill six people. Who's in it? The movie stars Ethan Taylor , Robert Strange , Lucy-Jane Quinlan , Philip Ridout and Darrie Gardner . Review: It had been a few days since my wife and I had watched a movie together and I had seen The Jack in the Box  on Amazon Prime. I didn't know a whole lot about this movie, other than it seemed to be popular enough to generate sequels, but I didn't find anything that looked better, so we gave it a try. Overall, I'd say this wasn't a terrible movie. However, it also wasn't one of the better ones we've watched. I think the biggest problem for me was...

Synopsis: A release party for the internet version of a popular werewolf-themed card game is a success. However, as guests begin to be brutally slaughtered, questions arise about whether there is a killer playing a real-life version of the game or if there really is a werewolf hunting its prey. Who's in it? The movie stars Steven Morana ,  Holly Deveaux ,  Ari Millen ,  Katie Boland and  Melissa D'Agostino.  Review: I had planned on watching what looked to be a very terrible 1980s horror film. However, I ended up calling an audible at the last minute and after scrolling through a bunch of movies, settled for Beast Within. This was primarily because it sounded like it would be a typical slasher film, something that wouldn't require me to think too much while providing a reasonable level of entertainment. Well, one of those things happened. The premise, I think, was a decent one. In addition to having a mystery about who the killer is, there is an added myster...

Synopsis: Hoping to slow down and spend more time with his family, Dr. Louis Creed moves from Boston to a small town in Maine with his wife and two children. Shortly after moving in, they discover their property has a neighborhood pet cemetery (misspelled "sematary") and, when their cat is killed by one of the fast-driving trucks that pass their house, Creed's neighbor, Jud, shows him a part of the cemetery that brings the dead back to life. It works for the cat, though it isn't the same as it was before it died. And when his daughter, Ellie, is killed on her 9th birthday, Creed must make a similar decision. Who's in it? The movie stars Jason Clarke , John Lithgow , Jeté Laurence ,  Amy Seimetz and  Obssa Ahmed. Review: My wife has wanted to see this movie since it first came out, but I've been more than a little skeptical about yet another remake and put off watching it. We ended up finally doing so last night and I think even my wife agrees my original as...

Synopsis: Following her parents' divorce, Maggie moves with her mom to her mom's former hometown and makes friends with some of the kids at her new high school. She helps her new friends convince a lonely woman, Sue Ann, to supply them with alcohol and she takes it a step further by allowing them to drink and party at her house on the condition they remain in the basement, and one remains sober enough to drive. However, Maggie soon realizes there may be more to Sue Ann than first appears and, as she tries to convince her friends not to take advantage of the woman's offer, Sue Ann counters back in extreme and violent ways. Who's in it? The movie stars  Octavia Spencer ,  Diana Silvers ,  Juliette Lewis ,  McKaley Miller and  Corey Fogelmanis . Review: It was too hot to do too much outside yesterday afternoon, so I convinced my wife to watch a movie in front of the air conditioning instead. After some consideration, I picked this one and it ended up being an O...

Synopsis: Brian dreams of being an award-winning broadcast journalist but instead has a career making "click bait" videos for the internet, causing him to grow increasingly frustrated. This includes his latest assignment, going into the Georgia woods with a Bigfoot hunter for a week. However, that assignment ends up with a surprise discovery. Who's in it? The movie stars Brian Emond , Mo Arora ,  Justin Beaudrot ,  William Childress ,  Will Copeland and  Kimberly Hamilton .  Review: I came across this movie on Paramount Plus some time ago and was intrigued by it but also knew it would likely be a movie my wife wouldn't enjoy. As a result, I waited until yesterday evening, when she was at martial arts classes, to watch it. I was right about it being a movie she wouldn't enjoy and my own opinion is a bit mixed. First of all, and I'm sorry for the spoiler but it's kind of important, this movie is by design, a click bait movie. If you think you are going t...

Synopsis: During the peak of World War I, the German Army seems to be on full retreat but is actually setting up a trap for the 1600 British troops in pursuit of them. Lance Corporals Blake and Schofield are ordered to deliver orders stopping the advancement, forcing them to cross the infamous No Man's Land. As an added incentive for carrying out the mission, Blake's older brother is one of the men about to walk into the trap. Who's in it? The movie stars Dean-Charles Chapman , George MacKay , Daniel Mays , Colin Firth and Pip Carter . Review: I've seen previews of this movie before but didn't get an opportunity to watch it until last night, while waiting for my wife to return from one of her friend's going away party. It wasn't quite what I was expecting but proved to be a good film, partly as a result of that. I think the thing I like best about this movie is the way it is filmed in two long and continuous shots. It gives the viewer the feeling of bein...

Synopsis: A pair of stepsisters reluctantly agree to dive with two friends to a sunken Mayan city. They were only going to see the entrance, but wind up deeper inside and ultimately get lost in the flooded passageways. Already running low on oxygen, they also need to fend off hungry great white sharks. Who's in it? The movie stars Corinne Foxx ,  Sophie Nélisse , Brianne Tju , Sistine Rose Stallone and Brec Bassinger. Review: Last night was family movie night (our first since our oldest returned from college) and both daughters agreed on this movie. Overall, it ended up being an OK choice, though not as good as I would have hoped. This is technically a sequel to a 2017 film we've never seen. However, it didn't have a sequel feel to it and seemed more like its own movie, which I appreciated. My wife and I also found having the movie take place in tight, flooded passageways did add a little something to the film. At minimum, it was making us feel a bit claustrophobic. I...

Synopsis: After his parents die in a fluke accident on his 35th birthday, Jack struggles to keep the bank from foreclosing on their home and is close to losing his job at a toy company. Determined to get his life in order, he throws out all his childhood toys, including his favorite bear, Benny. Benny comes to life and begins killing both those who wronged Jack and those he believes Jack loves more than him. Who's in it? The movie stars Karl Holt , Claire Cartwright , James Parsons , Anthony Styles and David Wayman. Review: I came across this movie earlier today and since my first choice ended up being in a language I didn't understand, I decided to give it a try. I'll give it this much, it was definitely unique. I think the thing I liked most about this film was Benny (unlike a lot of toys from other films) was limited to some very generic toy-like responses, something that made the character a lot less predictable than he would have been had he been capable of having ...

Synopsis: Ali Davis is a successful sports agent but keeps getting passed over for promotion at her male-dominated firm. After she develops the ability to read men's minds, she uses her new gift to help recruit an up-and-coming basketball player but ultimately loses her best friends and her love interest. Who's in it? The movie stars Taraji P. Henson , Aldis Hodge , Josh Brener , Erykah Badu and Tracy Morgan. Review: When my wife picked up this film at our library, I had some doubts about it. The premise was basically identical to the 2000 film What Women Want (other than a gender switch) and, while that movie wasn't one of my favorites, I did wonder if this film would end up being worse. As it turns out, I liked the movie more than expected but do think the Mel Gibson version was better. The movie does have some very funny moments. I especially liked the chaotic wedding scene and when Ali (Hensen) discovers her handsome neighbor's unexpected secret. At the same t...

Synopsis: Twenty-two years ago, Sarah Connor destroyed Cyberdyne Systems and prevented the invention of Skynet, saving 3 billion future lives. However, she was unable to prevent a T-800 Terminator robot from killing her son, John. When a new Terminator arrives in Mexico, Sarah finds herself protecting a young woman, Dani, with help from a surgically enhanced soldier from the future and the same T-800 that killed her son. Who's in it? The movie stars Linda Hamilton , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Mackenzie Davis , Natalia Reyes and Gabriel Luna . Review: I have had this movie in my library for some time now but didn't get around to watching it because, while I liked the original Terminator , I wasn't as big of a fan of the sequels. However, my wife and I had some time to watch a movie last night and, since I wasn't in the mood to look for something else, I finally selected this one. As it turns out, it was a lot better than I was expecting. One of the things I found I enjoy...

Synopsis: In 2004, after years of disputes with the residents and government of a small Colorado town over a piece of property he had purchased, master welder Marvin Heemeyer goes on a destructive rampage in a bulldozer he had heavily fortified. This documentary tells his story from the perspective of those who were there. Review: When I first came across this movie a couple weeks ago and read the description, I thought it was some B-rated action film from the 1980s and wasn't overly interested in it as a result. However, when I realized it was a documentary about a real-life event that happened not that long ago, I was intrigued enough to add it to my library. I finally had a chance to watch it this morning and I have to admit it was pretty darn interesting. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with documentaries. I like them for the most part but do get frustrated when they tend to be a bit one-sided. This particular one, however, managed to tell Marvin's story while not...

Synopsis: Inspired by her parents' love story and needing a change of scenery after her fiancee broke off their wedding plans, Seattle native Angela de Luca now lives in Rome, where she works as a tour guide. After losing her job a few days before Christmas, Angela is fortunate enough to run into Oliver Martin, a businessman looking to acquire an Italian ceramics company but with no knowledge of the city or Italian traditions. He hires Angela to be his personal tour guide and even helps her with starting her own business but, as their partnership becomes more romantic, Angela wonders how they would make it work once Oliver goes back to the United States. Who's in it? The movie stars Lacey Chabert , Sam Page , Franco Nero , Holly Hayes and Bryan Bounds . Review: Since my wife and I have watched multiple other Lacey Chabert Christmas movies this month, we decided to continue that trend by watching this film last night. It ended up being a good choice. At first, I wasn't ...

Synopsis: Historian Jessica Cooper is hired to research the Plaza Hotel and put together a historical Christmas display. When she is paired with professional decorator Nick Perrelli, their immediate chemistry puts her relationship with her current boyfriend in doubt. Who's in it? The movie stars Elizabeth Henstridge , Ryan Paevey , Bruce Davison , Julia Duffy and Karen Holness . Review: My wife and I watched multiple Hallmark Christmas movies yesterday and, while I had doubts, I did find I enjoyed most of them more than expected (at least the ones I didn't doze off watching). Some of them, however, just weren't as enjoyable as the others and, after some reflection, I feel this is one of those movies. I thought the premise sounded somewhat interesting, mostly because I enjoy history myself. Unfortunately, as this movie progressed, I realized the premise wasn't enough to save what ended up being a sub-par movie, even by Hallmark standards. There were a couple reasons ...

Synopsis: After being rejected by her dream college a second time, Drea reluctantly agrees to babysit for a member of the college admissions board. A couple hours later, she is protecting the two kids and her brother from an army of man-eating aliens. Who's in it? The movie stars Tashiana Washington , Ava Preston , Jack Fulton , Jaeden Noel and Dee Wallace. Review: I came across this movie a few days ago and decided to add it to my library, partly because I remember enjoying the original Critters . My wife and I ended up watching it yesterday evening and, overall, I thought it was an OK movie. I am going to start off by saying, if you have not watched any of the previous films from this series, you will want to before watching this one. Sometimes you can get away with watching an installment and still have a basic understanding of what is going on but, in this case, I think you will feel lost. I was even confused on occasion despite seeing most of the films from the franchise. ...