Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis:  While visiting his fiancee's family, Monty Montague dives into their "dragon pool" and doesn't resurface. When his body is found, there is no water in the lungs and claw marks on his body. The family matriarch blames a mystical beast she believes lives in the water of the pool. However, private detective Philo Vance thinks there is a murderer in the house. Who's in it? The movie stars Warren William , Margaret Lindsay , Lyle Talbot , Eugene Pallette and George Meeker. Review: I came across this movie a couple weeks ago and added it to my library for when I was in the mood for a classic murder mystery. I finally had a chance to watch it this morning and, overall, wasn't overly impressed with it. The overall movie was about what I was expecting it to be, with a good mix of lighthearted jokes and conversations mixed in with a more serious plot. This was especially true of Vance (William), who always seemed to have a smirk on his face. While not neces...

Synopsis: A Chicago retail clerk brings home a popular interactive doll to her 12-year-old son, not realizing the doll has a programming defect that will result in the toy being turned into a killer. Who's in it? The movie stars Aubrey Plaza , Gabriel Bateman , Brian Tyree Henry , Mark Hamill and Tim Matheson. Review: When I first saw they were remaking one of my favorite horror films, I had no plans to watch it. However, my wife wanted to see it and I saw Mark Hamill was voicing the doll, Chucky, so I ended up getting it on DVD through Netflix. We finally watched it last night. After doing so, I immediately regretted not sticking with my original plan to skip it. At first, I thought this movie would be better than expected, mostly because Chucky had the ability to control other electronic devices and I saw real potential with that. However, the movie fell way short of taking advantage of that potential and, ultimately, the original was just better. Let's put it this way, th...

Synopsis: Belle Adrian doesn't approve of her daughter, Carlotta's, relationship with Arthur Cushing. When she hears a scream coming from Arthur's cabin and Carlotta's car isn't in the garage, she investigates and discovers Arthur has been murdered. Believing her daughter is guilty, Belle does her best to remove any incriminating evidence and continues to keep her mouth shut even when she is facing murder charges. Fortunately for her, Perry Mason happens to be in town on vacation. Review : It's raining and kind of cold outside today so, not being able to do too much outside, I wound up finishing this book. Overall, I thought it was an enjoyable murder mystery. OK, to be honest, I didn't find it too difficult to figure out who the killer was. I had a suspicion almost from the very start and, once the case made it to court, the evidence and testimony only confirmed my theory. Despite that, there was a lot to like about this book. I especially liked the way t...

Synopsis: After one of her friends is murdered, a social media star, Mia, take a break by watching her sister's dog. However, she soon finds herself tormented by someone threatening to kill both her sister and her friends if she doesn't complete a series of challenges. Who's in it? The movie stars Daisye Tutor , Emily Goss , Nicole Posener , Stephanie Simbari and Octavius J. Johnson . Review: I decided to spend the extra $6/month to add Shudder to my YouTube TV lineup and, to break it in, looked for a movie to watch with my wife yesterday evening. This one looked interesting, so I decided to check it out. Overall, my opinion of it was a bit mixed. The movie premise itself actually wasn't terrible (though I wouldn't exactly call it original). The antagonist wanted to punish Mia (Tutor) for focusing her attention on her social media friends and ignoring her dying mother and ailing sister (Goss) by either attempting to complete impossible challenges or choosing who w...

Synopsis: When charwoman Mrs. McGinty is murdered, her lodger, James Bentley is arrested for the crime. Even though Bentley was convicted by a jury, the soon-to-be-retired Superintendent Spence has doubts about his guilt and turns to Hercule Poirot for a second opinion. Poirot agrees to investigate but the only thing that points him in the direction of another killer is an inaccurate newspaper clipping referring to other crimes. Did Mrs. McGinty know somebody's secret? Review: I was under the impression I had read all of Christie's Hercule Poirot novels until I happened to come across this one at the library a couple weeks ago. I checked it out and wound up finishing it last night. Overall, I have to say I thought it was a decent book. There were a couple things I found I liked about this murder mystery. One of the main ones was the question about whether or not there really was another killer. Despite Spence's doubts, her lodger was found with money stolen from her flo...

Synopsis: Grace, a former foster child, has always wanted a family and believes she finally has that chance when she marries the wealthy Alex Le Domas. When, on her wedding night, she is invited to participate in the family's tradition of playing a random game with a new member, she thinks it is quirky but is also eager to be accepted. However, when she draws Hide-and-Seek, she quickly learns losing could have deadly consequences. Who's in it? The movie stars Samara Weaving , Adam Brody , Mark O'Brien , Andie MacDowell and Nicky Guadagni . Review: I saw a preview for this some time ago but, even though I thought the trailer looked interesting, pretty much forgot about the movie until I found the DVD on Netflix. I added it to my queue and my wife and I watched it last night. It turned out to be an entertaining movie. There were a couple things I found I really liked about this film. One of the first ones was the way the movie managed to be suspenseful but also mixed in ju...

Synopsis: A flight enroute from Los Angeles to Tokyo hits unexpected turbulence that causes one of the passengers to have a panic attack and die. Shortly after, the plane begins to have a series of strange occurences ranging from the cabin depressurizing to passengers disappearing. Who's in it? The movie stars Ryan Kwanten , Amy Smart , Leslie Bibb , Scout Taylor-Compton , Nicky Whelan and Christian Serratos . Review: I came across this movie a few weeks ago and added it to my library, partly because it sounded somewhat interesting and partly because I recognized a couple of the names. My wife and I had some free time yesterday evening and finally took the time to watch the film. Overall, I thought it was entertaining. I think the thing I liked most about this film is the mystery surrounding the deceased passenger ( Rick Kelly ). From the moment he is introduced, it is apparent there is something a little off about him, especially the way he is carefully transporting a wooden bo...