Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: A transport plane carrying three passengers crash lands on a remote Caribbean island after picking up a radio signal believed to be from a missing admiral. The men discover and take refuge in a mansion owned by Dr. Miklos Sangre.  Sangre is hospitable but also suspicious and the men soon learn he is both hiding a radio and has been creating an army of zombies that includes his wife, Alyce. Who's in it? The movie stars Dick Purcell , Joan Woodbury , Mantan Moreland , Henry Victor and Marguerite Whitten Review: It's been a while since I last watched a zombie-themed movie, so I decided to give King of the Zombies a chance this morning. After watching it, I would describe it as a film with promise that proved to be a disappointment in no small part because it seemed to have a hard time picking a genre. As far as the main plot goes, it was OK albeit far from original. The island setting, with no apparent means of escape, worked for the zombie theme and I thought ...

Synopsis: After more than two years at the front lines of the American Civil War, Union Captain John Harling is looking forward to being discharged and allowed to go home. However, his discharge is put on hold, and he is instead ordered to track a group of Confederate soldiers that were believed to be dead but are now causing death and destruction. Harling enlists the help of the soldiers' former commander, Col. Nehemiah Strayn, now a prisoner of war and learn, with the assistance of a mute but clairvoyant runaway slave, the men they are chasing have been brought back from the dead by an evil African entity brought to the United States by a slave trader. The movie also goes by the names Ghost Brigade , The Lost Brigade and Grey Knight . Who's in it? The movie stars Corbin Bernsen , Adrian Pasdar, Ray Wise , Cynda Williams, Martin Sheen and Billy Bob Thornton. Review: The Killing Box had been in my library for some time and, after canceling previous plans to watch it, I fin...

Synopsis: After meeting her on a ship to Haiti, Charles Beaumont falls in love with Madeline Short. She, however, is in love with Neil Parker and marries him. Determined to have her, Charles enlists the help of a local Voodoo witch doctor, "Murder" Legendre, and slips Madeline a potion through a flower that makes it appear as though she died on her wedding night. Legendre then uses his skills to turn Madeline into a zombie slave, a decision Charles soon regrets. Who's in it? The movie stars Bela Lugosi , Madge Bellamy, Robert Frazer , John Harron and Joseph Cawthorn. Review:  It had been a while since I last watched White Zombie, enough time to remember very little about it. So, when I came across the film last night, I decided to add it to my library and watch it this morning. The movie, as it turns out, is OK but I also understood why it was so easy to forget. I will start out by saying there are some good things about this film. Lugosi, for example, was solid as ...

Synopsis: After the population of New Guinea begins turning into zombies, four commandos and two reporters brave hoards of the undead to find the source. Only distrust threatens to make their journey even more difficult. Who's in it? The movie stars Margie Newton, Franco Garofalo, Selan Karay, José Gras and Gabriel Renom. Review: It's another cold, rainy and now stormy night so we ended up staying home and watching a movie again. Since it has been a while since our last zombie movie, I went with Hell of the Living Dead . After watching it, I immediately wished I had picked a different movie. As far as the overall plot is concerned, this Italian film is basically your typical zombie movie, borrowing from (ripping off) plenty of other films. There are zombies created by an experiment gone bad, they eat people and anyone who is bitten turns into one.  It's a proven formula that is hard to mess up. Unfortunately, this movie managed to do just that. One of the fil...

Synopsis: Teenagers Rickie and JT cut class and explore an abandoned insane asylum. While escaping a guard dog, they entered a locked room and discover a naked woman tied to a table. Rather than freeing the woman, who they later learn cannot be killed, JT, instead, decides to keep her tied up so he and his friends can continually rape her, something Rickie is opposed to but is too weak to prevent. Who's in it? The movie stars Shiloh Fernandez , Noah Segan, Candice Accola, Eric Podnar, Jenny Spain and Susan Marie Keller. Review: I remember watching Deadgirl in the past and not enjoying it all that much. However, as I've said before, I am a big believer in second chances and figured I'd give it another try. After rewatching it, I am proud to say my original opinion of the movie was the correct one. If I were to classify this movie under a specific category, it would be under zombie rape porn. It's about a couple high school boys (Segan and Wheeler) who keep a female zo...

Synopsis: Twenty-eight years after the Rage virus was released, the world has it contained to the British Isles, which are under quarantine with the remaining survivors cut off to from the outside world. Twelve-year-old Spike is one of those survivors and as a rite of passage, is taken into the wilderness by his father to learn how to kill the infected. When Spike learns a doctor lives in isolation among the infected, he takes his mother, stricken with an unknown illness, back into danger to try to get her help. Along the way, they end up with a newborn that was birthed by one of the infected but appears perfectly healthy. Who's in it? The movie stars Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer , Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes and Chi Lewis-Parry. Review: I'm not going to lie, even after trying to give 28 Days Later another chance, I just wasn't a big fan of that film. I didn't hate it, I just thought it wasn't as good as so many other zombie-themed movies and the sequel ...

Synopsis: When the law firm he works for messes up on a major legal case, Derek Cho is made the fall guy and is fired. As he is being escorted out by security, the building is put in lockdown because of the "Red Eye" virus, a pathogen that causes those it infects to lose their inhibitions and act out their impulses. Knowing the disease makes him immune to prosecution for anything he does while infected, Cho decides to get revenge on his former boss, John Towers, and enlists help from Melanie Cross, a woman who is about to lose her house because of a bank the firm represents. However, they only have eight hours until the virus is no longer a viable defense, getting to his former boss on the top floor requires going through a lot of security and Towers is using the same strategy to try to get rid of Cho first. Who's in it? The movie stars Steven Yeun , Samara Weaving , Steven Brand ,  Caroline Chikezie and Kerry Fox . Review: I added Mayhem to my movie library a couple...

Synopsis: Upon learning of his sister's death, Larry Adams travels to the estate of her husband, Dr. Max Heinrich Von Altermann with private detective Scott Warrington to learn more. When they arrive, they learn his sister, Lila, along with many of the servants, has been brought back from the dead by Von Altermann and is now a zombie. However, unlike the other zombies, Lila is able to act independently and has a plan to get revenge on her husband. Who's in it? The movie stars John Carradine , Robert Lowery , Gale Storm , Bob Steele , Mantan Moreland and Mauritz Hugo . Review: I picked out Revenge of the Zombies this morning because it's been a while since I last watched a zombie movie and, at least from the brief description, I was intrigued. As it turns out, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The movie, which is described as a horror/comedy, falls much more in the latter category, with a surprisingly large number of scenes being dominated by the driver...

Synopsis: A group of scientists smuggle a woman infected with a reanimating virus onboard a plane from Los Angeles to Paris. Strong turbulence results in her being freed and she soon begins spreading the virus, turning passengers and crew into zombies.  Who's in it? The movie stars David Chisum , Kristen Kerr , Richard Tyson , Kevin J. O'Connor and Erick Avari. Review: I was in the mood for a movie last night and after some searching, came across Flight of the Living Dead on Amazon Prime Video. It had been a while since my wife and I watched a zombie movie so; after scrolling through a few more options, we decided to give it a try. I didn't have a whole lot of expectations for this film. This was both because of the plot and because I didn't recognize any of the actors or actresses. However, after seeing the movie, I do have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The plot itself requires some suspension of disbelief and not asking too many questions. For example, I foun...

Synopsis: A year after a street drug started a zombie apocalypse that killed his wife and daughter, Hunter travels alone, driven by hate for the "eaters." He is shot and ends up recuperating with a group of sheltered survivors. In addition to being desired by the two females in the group, he soon finds himself tasked with trying to keep the group alive as they attempt to get to an airfield and fly somewhere safe. Who's in it? The movie stars Martin Copping , Claire Niederpruem , Jade Regier , Danny Trejo and Jason K. Wixom. Review: My wife, a teacher assistant, picked up something at school and spent the weekend on the couch trying to get some rest. Since that meant our Saturday plans were cancelled, I joined her, and we had a zombie movie marathon that included Zombie Hunter . While I didn't completely hate it, the film did leave a little to be desired. The premise of the movie wasn't terrible. Zombie movies don't need to be anything overly complicated, a...

Synopsis: When a comet passes near Earth and causes the majority of the population to turn into zombies, a group of survivors take refuge inside an abandoned military complex. Surrounded and short on supplies, they must find a way to overcome clashing personalities and work together. However, as they quickly learn, things are much worse than they look. Who's in it? The movie stars  Tom Eplin ,  Sabrina Gennarino ,  Roshelle Baier ,  John Lee Ames  and  Brya n Rasmussen . You can read my review here:  Movie Review: Days of Darkness (2007) (wizzley.com)

Synopsis: After catching his girlfriend cheating on him with his friend Billy, professional wrestler Shane Douglas gets angry and later accidentally kills Billy in the ring with a botched piledriver. Six weeks later, he is given the opportunity to make money as part of a wrestling show at a prison. However, the event is really an elaborate revenge plot by Billy's brother, Angus, who has filled the prison with zombies. Shane and his fellow wrestlers soon find themselves fighting for survival. Who's in it? The movie stars Shane Douglas , Roddy Piper , Jim Duggan , Adrienne Fischer and Ashton Amherst. Review: When I first heard about Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies , I thought it was some sort of internet prank and was surprised when I came across the movie on Amazon Prime. I had a ton of doubts about this film but have always loved Roddy Piper as a movie star and decided to watch it with my wife last night.  Overall, I have to say it wasn't the worst zombie movie I've seen. ...

Synopsis: Aspiring novelist Clint takes a substitute teacher job at his hometown elementary school the day after contaminated chicken nuggets were served for lunch. His bad first day turns worse when one of his students bites a classmate and the school quickly becomes infected with a virus that turns the students into flesh-eating zombies. Who's in it? The movie stars Elijah Wood , Rainn Wilson , Alison Pill , Jack McBrayer and Cooper Roth . Review: This has been a movie my wife has wanted to see since watching a trailer for it a couple years ago. Part of this is because she's a teacher's assistant and could relate to some of the things she saw, and the other is we both enjoy a good zombie movie. We finally had a chance to watch it tonight and weren't disappointed. This is one of those movies that could have been very bad. I say that because the disease only affected kids and that meant, to survive, the heroes would need to kill kids. In an era with school violence,...

Synopsis: A year after abandoning his wife and son to fulfill a dream of becoming a graphic novelist, Clay Riddell is in Boston hoping to return to them. However, shortly after his own phone battery goes dead, a strange signal goes over the cell towers and everyone on their phone is turned into a mindless and rabid killer. With the whole world going crazy as a result, Clay enlists the help of train conductor and Vietnam veteran Thomas McCourt to help him travel home and find his family. Who's in it? The movie stars John Cusack , Samuel L. Jackson , Isabelle Fuhrman , Owen Teague and Stacy Keach . Review: I added this movie to my library some time ago and my wife and I decided to give it a try last night because we were intrigued by what was essentially a zombie movie based on a book by Stephen King. After watching it, our opinion of it was mixed. Zombie films tend to be a dime a dozen and I always give points to those that add some sort of uniqueness. That was the case with thi...

Synopsis: Miranda Riley is trying to secure more funding for the struggling aquarium she is running when she must contend with a much worse problem. The animals are dying from a strange ailment and coming back to life as zombies. To make matters worse, the aquarium's safeguards have her and several others locked inside. Who's in it? The movie stars Vivica A. Fox , Eva Ceja , D. C. Douglas , Erica Duke and Anthony Jensen . Review: I came across this film on Paramount Plus a few days ago and, thinking it looked interesting, added it to my library. My wife and I watched it tonight and, overall, I thought it was an OK film. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a great film by any means. The special effects were barely passable, and the acting was sub-par. However, it was admittedly entertaining. I think the thing I liked best about this film was how surprisingly dangerous the aquarium turned out to be. I was a bit skeptical about that at first because fish live in the water a...

Synopsis: After serving in the Middle East, Jay returns to his hometown on Independence Day only to discover a mysterious "flu" is quickly spreading. When his friends become infected and turn into zombies, he teams up with his former sergeant, who believes the disease is the result of a government conspiracy. Who's in it? The movie stars Scott Baxter , Chad Bishop , Jamie Bernadette , Janet Roth and James Hutchinson. Review: I was in the mood for a horror film to watch with my wife last night and, after considering about a dozen other films, I wound up picking this one because the plot at least sounded somewhat different. Unfortunately, about 15 minutes into this film, it became pretty obvious it was a mistake. As is often the case with too many horror movies/thrillers, the film actually had a halfway decent concept that was absolutely ruined by poor execution. Zombie movies are a dime a dozen but the idea of a zombie virus that is spread by the protagonist (who is onl...

Synopsis: After a zombie-like viral outbreak results in an Asian city being quarantined, private mercenary Maj. Max Gatling is hired to lead a team and rescue the daughter of a wealthy industrialist before the city is firebombed. The mission is a failure, with only one other member of his team surviving, but Gatling decides to stay behind and find the girl himself. Fortunately, he has some unexpected help from a group of robots. Who's in it? The movie stars Dolph Lundgren , Melanie Zanetti , Matt Doran , David Field and Lydia Look.   Review: OK, I'll admit it, the only reason this movie even made my list was the fact it had both zombies and robots. It was an intriguing combination and, even though I still had some doubts about the film overall, was just unique enough for me to give it a try. My wife and I watched it last night and, overall, I have to say it was an OK film. I think the thing I liked best about this movie was the fact it wasn't as predictable as zombie fi...

Synopsis: An earthquake releases a hoard of zombies from a sunken ship and a tsunami washes them on shore, creating terror in a tiny island village. Who's in it? The movie stars Ian Ziering , Cheree Cassidy , Shelton Jolivette , Tatum Chiniquy and Angie Teodora Dick . Review: I was looking for another movie last night when I scrolled past this one. Based on the title, I wasn't really expecting much from it but ended up giving it a try anyway. As it turns out, it wasn't too terrible. There were a couple things about this movie I found I really liked. One of the main ones was the fact the protagonists were on an island, making it much harder for them to escape as the zombies invaded their community. Just as important, the fact they couldn't reach anyone for help (and nobody showed up after the tsunami) made it unclear whether or not the zombies were an isolated thing or if the whole world was dealing with them. Another thing I liked about this movie was how difficult k...

Synopsis : As an unknown virus causes a quickly-spreading zombie apocalypse, Oh Joon-woo shelters himself in his apartment. Cut off from the world with limited food and water and believing his family is dead, he loses the will to live until he makes contact with a woman, Kim Yoo-bin, living in the apartment complex across from him. Who's in it? The movie stars Ah-in Yoo , Park Shin-Hye and Bae Soo Jeon . Review: I've been more than a little bit disappointed by the selection of movies on Netflix lately and only picked out this Korean zombie film because I figured it might be good for a couple laughs. As it turns out, it was a surprise gem that my wife and I enjoyed watching. The movie does a great job of creating a feeling of hopelessness for Oh Joon-woo (Yoo). He had limited resources and made multiple mistakes that put those resources in jeopardy. He was scared to leave his apartment because of swarms of hungry zombies right outside his door and, eventually, he was cut off ...

Synopsis:  Something isn't quite right in the small town of Centerville. The sun is setting much later than it normally does, domestic pets and livestock are acting strangely and, most importantly, the dead are rising from their graves. Who's in it? The movie stars Bill Murray , Adam Driver , Selena Gomez , Tom Waits and Steve Buscemi. Review:  I don't remember putting this particular movie in my Netflix DVD queue and, as a result, was a bit surprised to see it arrive a few weeks ago. Since it was a longer film, it took my wife and I some time to watch it. We finally did that last night and it turned out to be better than expected. I think the thing I liked best about this movie was the various residents in Centerville. This includes a police officer (Driver) who seems to realize they are in a movie, a funeral home director ( Maya Delmont ) who is both strange and a sword expert, a racist farmer (Buscemi) and a hermit (Waits) who serves as a narrator. It was fun watching t...