Are “prequels” any better than “sequels” or “re-boots”? In the right hands, they can be very entertaining, providing compelling back stories for characters we thought we knew well. It can be said that some of the more compelling aspects of the first Godfather film were those scenes with Robert DeNiro playing a younger Vito Corleone. [...]

Over a year ago, in January of last year, DailyHelping suggested a handful of tasty novels that were quite good and worth a look. They’re all hard to put down.  Among those books was “Dark Fields”, by Alan Glynn. It was a soft-science fiction thriller dealing with smart drugs, Russian thugs and high finance. Then [...]

In what may be the most eclectic cast for an exploitation action film, “Machete” is slowly building some attention ahead of it’s September launch. “Machete” is director Robert Rodriguez’s (El Mariachi, From Dusk til Dawn)  full length spin-off from his fake trailer featured within the campy “Grindhouse” double bill. The film follows Machete Cortez, played [...]

A film that has been getting a lot of positive buzz for the past few months is a pretty dark and weirdly funny film by the guy who wrote “The Wrestler”. The movie is called, “Big Fan”. Writer (and now director) Robert D. Siegel has touched on mainstream sport and the almost unhinged devotion that [...]

Consider that stroll you take as you move down the aisle of your favorite rental shop.  You first look at the new releases and after quickly scanning the titles about three times in both directions you realize there may not actually be anything worth renting. You had hoped something would just spring out at you…something [...]

The Daily Helping strongly suggests you pick up a copy of Richard Price’s powerful novel, Lush Life.  It’s now in paperback and one the best reads of this past year. Price is writing at the top of his game. His legendary ear and skill in capturing a moment; a personality; a neighborhood you know exists [...]