Steven Helmer Publications

Like many people, my wife and I watched the record-breaking 21st season premiere of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit last night. Overall, I enjoyed the episode, which featured Lieutenant Olivia Benson ( Mariska Hargitay ) and her team investigating a movie producer ( Ian McShane ) accused of raping wannabe actresses. However, when she was promoted to captain at the end of the episode, her third promotion in the past 6 seasons, I honestly couldn't help but roll my eyes a bit. Yes, the promotion came mostly as a gift from the departing Chief Dodds ( Peter Gallagher ). And, I'm sure you could argue she deserves it after all the success her team has had. However, there are several reasons why the promotion seems unwarranted and even a little forced, at least in my opinion. You can read the rest of my story here:  https://wizzley.com/why-i-m-questioning-olivia-benson-s-promotion-to-captain/

Synopsis: In the early 19th century, disgraced former vice president Aaron Burr sought to take advantage of civil unrest in the western part of the fledgling United States by forming an army, conquering land and forming his own country. He was eventually accused and stood trial for treason. This non-fiction book examines the conspiracy and the players that were involved. You can read my review here:  https://wizzley.com/book-review-aaron-burr-conspiracy-to-treason-2001/

Synopsis: A talented all-female volleyball team gets stranded in the middle of nowhere on their way back from a game and are hunted by a group of cannibals. Their only hope for survival is to work together as a team. But, their constant, petty bickering prevents that from happening and, as a result, their lives are in serious danger. You can read my review here:  https://wizzley.com/movie-review-girls-with-balls-2018/

Synopsis: With truce talks making progress and the war about to wind down, the staff of the 4077th looks forward to saying their goodbyes and finally going home to their families. But, first, they must deal with being the target of enemy shells, a wildfire that threatens to destroy the camp and their chief surgeon's mental breakdown. You can read my review here:  https://wizzley.com/m-a-s-h-episode-review-goodbye-farewell-and-amen-1983/

Synopsis: While spending his college break with his brother, Peyton, Evan meets a group of friends renting a near-by house and decides to spend the weekend partying with them instead. While telling horror stories around the fire, Evan reads a poem he discovered on the internet and accidentally summons a shape-shifting demon that has the power to make people harm themselves. You can read my review here:  https://wizzley.com/movie-review-head-count-2018/

Synopsis: Ten years after the Great Tomato War, tomatoes have been outlawed in the United States and hero Wilbur Finletter runs a pizza parlor with the help of his nephew, Chad. What he doesn't know is the evil scientist behind the first tomato uprising is creating a new breed of tomatoes that look like humans. This includes Chad's new girlfriend, Tara. You can read my review here:  https://wizzley.com/movie-review-return-of-the-killer-tomatoes-1988/

Synopsis: Retired Boston police officer Jefferson Jackson should be enjoying retirement in Martha's Vineyard, focusing on fishing and his new girlfriend, Zee. However, when the fishing boat, the Nellie Grey, mysteriously explodes, killing one of the passengers and seriously injuring the son of one of his best friends, Jeff is asked to find out the cause. This requires him to investigate Martha's Vineyard's seedier side as he looks for a drug dealer that might have ordered a hit on a former customer. You can read my review here:  https://wizzley.com/book-review-a-beautiful-place-to-die-1989/