Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: While driving to his in-laws on Christmas Eve with his wife, two kids and his daughter's boyfriend in the car, Frank Harrington decides to get off the interstate and take the scenic route. However, after he falls asleep at the wheel and nearly gets in an accident, they pass a woman with a baby on the side of the road and give her a ride, only to start dying one-by-one while traveling on a seemingly endless road. Who's in it? The movie stars Ray Wise , Lin Shaye , Mick Cain , Alexandra Holden and Amber Smith . Review: I was in the mood for a horror movie or thriller and came across this one on Amazon Prime. I had some doubts about the film, but it turned out to be better than expected. To be honest, the movie was kind of predictable. It didn't take a whole lot of imagination to figure out why they seemed to be on a road that didn't end and/or why they died one by one only to have a hearse drive off with them. In fact, it is basically the same plot as other m...

Synopsis: The night before her husband returns home from a business trip, Chris Hunter stabs a man to death in her house. She claims he was a stranger trying to steal her jewelry. However, evidence points to that story being a lie and as further details emerge, her motive for stabbing the man is brought into doubt. Who's in it? The movie stars Ann Sheridan , Lew Ayres , Zachary Scott , Eve Arden and Jerome Cowan . Review: I've had this movie saved in my library for a few weeks and finally got around to watching it this morning, when I couldn't find anything else to watch. At first, I didn't know if I would enjoy it, but it turned out to be an interesting and entertaining. I especially liked how the nature of the relationship Chris (Sheridan) had with the victim was kept a secret throughout the majority of the movie. It was clear she lied about not knowing him and I suspected her revised story, about him stalking her after she agreed to let him create a sculpture of ...

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: Back in 1986, Adelaide becomes separated from her parents at a carnival at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and wanders into a funhouse where she is traumatized by a reflection that seemingly comes to life. More than 30 years later, she returns to the area on a vacation with her husband and kids when a group of doppelgangers attacks them at their cabin. Who's in it? The movie stars  Lupita Nyong'o ,  Winston Duke ,  Elisabeth Moss ,  Tim Heidecker and  Shahadi Wright Joseph .  Review: My wife and I both like Jordan Peele movies and this one has been on our list for some time as a result. We finally got around to watching it tonight and it didn't disappoint. There were a number of ways this movie could have gone and one of those ways was it could have turned out to be very dull. That fortunately turned out not to be the case and instead, the film was both entertaining and creepy. I think the thing that I liked most about this film was the mystery ...

Synopsis: Despite showing improvement after solving his wife, Trudy's murder, the pandemic caused Adrian Monk to regress, and he now plans to kill himself after Trudy's daughter, Molly, is married. However, a day before the wedding, Molly's fiancé, Griffin is killed while bungee jumping and Molly believes Griffin was killed by billionaire Rick Eden. Even though he isn't convinced by Molly's theory, Monk delays his suicide so he can investigate and bring her closure. Who's in it? The movie stars Tony Shalhoub , Traylor Howard , Ted Levine , James Purefoy and Caitlin McGee. Review: I used to be a huge fan of the television series Monk and still occasionally watch reruns when I can't find anything else on TV. So, when I heard there was going to be a movie based on the series, I was intrigued albeit a bit skeptical. I finally had a chance to watch it tonight and it proved to be satisfactory. I thought Monk's (Shalhoub) mystery was intriguing. It was cle...

Synopsis: Five years after a fatal incident involving the accidental release of prehistoric megalodon, research of the Mariana Trench continues. While following a group of megalodon to their breeding area, Jonas Taylor and his team discover a secret and illegal mining operation and soon find themselves in danger both from the creatures in the trench and the people determined to keep the mining operation secret. Who's in it? The movie stars Jason Statham , Jing Wu ,  Shuya Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy and  Skyler Samuels. Review: My wife and I both enjoyed the first movie more than expected so when I heard there was going to be a sequel, I wanted to see it at the theater on the big screen. That didn't happen because of scheduling conflicts but after finally seeing it tonight, I am kind of glad about that. This is one of those movies that wasn't terrible but also wasn't anywhere near as good as the original. I think a big part of the reason why that was the case was the...

 My thoughts from the Green Bay Packers' 33-30 win over the Carolina Panthers earlier today: This was a little too close for comfort. It was essentially a repeat of last week's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers only with a win rather than a loss. The offense played well, the special teams didn't have any game-changing mistakes, but the defense was once again a liability. In fact, if it wasn't for some great clock management by the offense on the final scoring drive, there's no reason to believe the defense could have prevented the Panthers from tying or winning. I know there are benefits to being in the booth but after seeing Matt LaFleur lighting up Devonte Wyatt following his second offsides penalty, I have a hard time believing the defense wouldn't be better with Joe Barry on the sidelines, where he can be part of the action. That said, part of me wonders if maybe things have deteriorated to the point LaFleur wants to keep him as far away as possible. I...