Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Three down-on-their luck men, Merle, Elliott and Frankie, have a drink at a bar and wind up stopping an armed robbery attempt. Their heroism is witnessed by advertising executive B. D. Tucker, who hires them on the spot to be the centerpiece of her advertising campaign for Norbecker Beer.  Her plan is successful, increasing beer sales and making the men overnight celebrities. However, the fame and Tucker's exploitation soon begin to take their toll. Who's in it? The movie stars Loretta Swit , Rip Torn , David Alan Grier , William Russ, Saul Stein and Kenneth Mars . Review: My daughter's community theater musical opens this week, which means late rehearsal nights. As a result, by the time I picked her up from the theater last night, I just didn't have time to scout out a movie for this morning. I ended up picking the first one that popped up in my library because of that and that movie was Beer . I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid but not a whole...

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: The bored wife of a successful theater critic decides to write her own play. She is able to get it produced but a drunken, negative review written by her husband threatens both the show's success and their marriage. Who's in it? The movie stars  Bob Hope , Lucille Ball , Marilyn Maxwell , Jim Backus and Rip Torn . Review: I am taking a bit of a lazy day today and, while my wife and youngest daughter were attending a play at our local high school, I ended up searching for a movie to watch. It had been a while since I last saw Critic's Choice and since it was available, I decided to give it a re-watch. My opinion of it was basically the same one I had the first time I watched it, it was OK but not as good as I had expected. I'll start out by saying the film's premise was a good one, mostly because it created a no-win scenario for the critic, Parker Ballentine (Hope). It was clear he didn't want to review his wife, Angela's (Ball) play because, base...

Synopsis: In April of 1953, peace talks to end the Korean War are at a standstill when a piece of high ground nicknamed Porkchop Hill becomes an unexpected bargaining chip for whichever side holds it. When the hill is seized by the Chinese, Lt. Joe Clemons is instructed to lead three platoons to reclaim it. He does as he is ordered, sustaining a large number of casualties in the process. However, he soon learns the U. S. Army High Command, believing the hill isn't worth the cost of any more life, isn't going to send him reinforcements, forcing him and a small number of exhausted men to hold off an impending Chinese counterattack on their own. Who's in it? The movie stars Gregory Peck , Woody Strode , George Peppard , Rip Torn and George Shibata. Review: I remember watching Pork Chop Hill when I was too young to really understand what it was about and when I recently came across the movie again, I decided to add it to my library. I ended up watching it this morning and ...