A new anthology series has reared it’s creepy, twisted little head: 20 Seconds To Live. Each two-to-three-minute episode is like a gory little O. Henry story, complete with a twist ending, and in every one, at some point, one of the characters has 20 seconds to live. The filmmakers even put a timer onscreen to count it down. Often, you have no idea which character will be offed, and that’s half the fun! You can watch them all right here!

“Anniversary”~ A young couple celebrate their anniversary in a most unorthodox and bloody manner.

“Astaroth”~Two friends try to raise a demon to do their bidding, but one is having second thoughts. And the summoning must be said exactly as written, or…

“Climax”~A young woman and her bed partner are having a rollicking good time. He doesn’t seem in the best of health, and she needs him to hang in there for just…a…little…longer…

“Heartless”~A magician attempts to do the same trick twice in a row to satisfy a heckler in the audience. Magicians should never try to do the same trick twice in a row.

“Ransom”~Two kidnappers get more then they bargained for when they try to demand a ransom for the safe return of someone’s wife.

“Evil Doll”~ Two friends confront a doll. An evil doll. That is evil. And a doll. But is it just a doll? Or is it evil?

“Clear”~Paramedics rush to save the life of a heart attack victim, but things do not quite go as everybody hopes. Except maybe for the heart attack victim.

“Christmas Morning”~A mother and father discuss whether or not to tell their eldest daughter the truth about Santa Claus. And then they all hear some creaks and bumps from inside the chimney…

I had a blast watching these shorts. Each one has a devilish sense of humor and a few made me laugh out loud with their audacious humor. They don’t skimp on the gore, either, and all of them pack a nice little punch. My favorite might have been the first one, “Anniversary.” It took me by surprise and was a hard act to follow for the rest. Uncle Mike sez: check ’em out! You’ll be glad you did!