20 Seconds To Live is an anthology web-series that is the brainchild of Ben Rock and Bob DeRosa. The series is produced by Cat Pasciak and made its debut on Adam Green's website Ariescope.com. Each episode is written by DeRosa and edited/directed by Rock.
20 Seconds To Live is exactly what it sounds like, each episode drops into a spot of a story where one of the characters will die within 20 seconds. Each episode is a self-contained story and has an average runtime of two minutes. Now, I could just give a general review and say "the series is awesome and you should watch it right now.", but where is the fun in that? Each episode features different actors and to make sure each and every person involved gets credit where credit is due, I'll take the time to breakdown each of the seven episode. Let's begin...
1. Anniversary
This is the first episode or the series, I guess you could call it the pilot, and really sets the tone of the series. It lets you know you're in for blood splatter, gore and humor. You're dropped in on a couple during their anniversary dinner and what you see isn't always what you get. The couple looks to be seen from the point-of-view from a stalker, but we are hit with a twist that shows this couple will literally kill for each others happiness. The episode features Rebecca Larsen, Donal Thoms-Cappelo and Jay Bogdonowitsch.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
2. Astaroth
Astaroth falls more on the emotional humor side, but does it in the most perfect way possible.Two amateur demon worshipers are going to summon a demon, but just can't seem get the words out right. This episode feature Derek Mears (Friday 13th, Sleepy Hollow) as a bumbling bunny lover and Will McMichael as his Satanic sidekick. Mears owns the role with perfect comedic timing and dry one-liners.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
3. Climax
This episode is a straight forward comedy. It's a scene we have seen played out a few times on film, like in Meet Dave, but never to this extent. Courtney Rackley plays the girlfriend and Scott Leggett plays the heart attack boyfriend. What sells this one is Rackley putting her hand over her boyfriend's eyes and continuing to ride him to the point of, wait for it, climax. Sorry for the spoiler on this one, I couldn't find a way around it.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
4. Heartless
Heartless is an awesome episode and one that I could easily see being featured on Tales From The Crypt (if the show was still on of course). This one features a magician who takes on a challenge from a heckler, but results in heartbreaking consequences. Featured are Graham Skipper, Bryan Bellomo, Shaela Cook and Angela Sauer. Graham nails the role of lowly magician who could have a huge Las Vegas act, if only he could perfect his special skill set.
Rating 5/5 Stars
5. Ransom
Episode 5 Ransom is another top notch entry into series. Two guys kidnap a mans wife in hopes of a big payday, but soon find that some things aren't as valuable as they appear to be. Featuring Erin Matthew, Michael Holmes, Mark Weiler and special guest Adam Green as the husband. This is a perfect revenge fantasy for any woman who feels that her significant other undervalues them from time to time.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
6. Evil Doll
This is another episode that is straight forward comedy, but, dare I say, the best out of the series because of one simple cameo. Tom Holland shows up at the very end and that should be all the info you need to watch this. The episode also features Amir Talai and Carrie Wiita. You can't go wrong with an evil doll and Tom Holland, it's like peas and carrots.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
7. Clear
This is how each season of a series should go out, just balls-to-the-walls mayhem. When a man has a heart attack cooking dinner, paramedics show up and Murphy's Law takes over. This is episode goes out with a bang Final Destination style and is one that you have to watch. Features Sondra Mayer, Laura Napoli, Dennis Neal and Susan Neal. You'll never feel safe in the kitchen again after watching this.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Final Thoughts: Tom Atkins said "Thrill Me" in Night Of The Creeps and Ben Rock and Bob DeRosa must have taken that to heart, because each episode of the '20 Seconds To Live' series did just that. I was thoroughly entertained by each episode and I look forward to the season 2 premiere.
Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1