On 1 October 2025 I launched a YouTube Shorts series, 31 Days of Halloween. The concept is simple: one, one-minute (or shorter) Halloween/horror movie review every day for the month of October. These reviews are super lo-fi—just yours portly recording on a phone, sitting at a desk. No frills, no fancy editing, just me giving my impressions of the films in an unscripted, fast way.
In case you’ve missed any installments, I’m featuring the several days of reviews. If you want to catchup on Days 10-16, check out last week’s YouTube Roundup.
A quick note: most of the links below are Amazon Affiliate links, typically linking to the movie on DVD or Blu-Ray, as well as the books they’re based upon (or the novelizations of the films). I receive a portion of any purchases made through those links, at no additional cost to you.
Day 17: The Wolf Man (1941)
Day 17 is the Universal Pictures werewolf classic, The Wolf Man (1941).
Grab it on 4K here: https://amzn.to/48F5wlP
Or on Blu-ray here: https://amzn.to/4q65b1A
Or on DVD here: https://amzn.to/46TtQis
Day 18: An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Day 18 is the 1981 practical effects masterpiece An American Werewolf in London. Ponty corrected me that the werewolf attack is not in the moors of Scotland, but in the slightly less exotic moors of Northern England.
Get it on Blu-ray here: https://amzn.to/4qg3FtU
Or on DVD here: https://amzn.to/43kM3Dh
There’s even a coloring book version: https://amzn.to/42FzF0w
Day 19: The Shining (1980)
Day 19 is the 1980 Stanley Kubrick film The Shining, an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel.
Pick it up on 4K & Blu-ray here: https://amzn.to/47b2dQH
Or get the Stephen King novel here: https://amzn.to/49796VN
Day 20: The Exorcist (1973)
Day 20 is the incredible tale of demonic possession from the mind of writer William Peter Blatty, 1973’s The Exorcist.
Grab it on Blu-Ray here: https://amzn.to/3W9AXNB
Or get the novel (you should definitely read it!) here: https://amzn.to/4nQMX2C
Day 21: The Exorcist III (1990)
Day 21 is the mind-bending sequel to The Exorcist, The Exorcist III (1990), featuring an incredible performance from George C. Scott.
Grab it on 4K & Blu-Ray here: https://amzn.to/47eYeTr
Or get the novel, Legion (you should also definitely read it!) here: https://amzn.to/3KRaZw1
Day 22: The Omen (1976)
Day 22 is the End Times child terror classic The Omen (1976).
Grab it on Blu-Ray here: https://amzn.to/47oKXI6
Or DVD here: https://amzn.to/3Wf4Bkr
Or get the novel here: https://amzn.to/47hkZpA
And on Kindle: https://amzn.to/3J4N8s7
Talk about a crash-course in advanced spookification! Which of these films do you love?
Happy Friday!
—TPP
The Portly Politico 
Will Ju-On 2 make an appearance on your shorts? Really, mate, you’ve got to watch it, it’s an excellent movie.
The Exorcist 3 has one of the best shots I have ever seen put to celluloid. I reckon movie puritans will have skipped the Exorcist sequels because they didn’t believe there was a need for them to be made and in doing that, they’ll have missed one of the scariest moments in any horror movie. The scene is simple. A feature shot showing a corridor in a hospital, rooms on either side. As a nurse walks from room to room doing her rounds, the camera slowly moves forward. When she comes out of one of the last rooms, a hooded figure with giant secateurs stalks after her. When I watch it again, even though I know it’s coming, it sends a chill down my spine. That’s the hallmark of a classic horror scene. The rest of the movie is great too.
Tina says don’t bother with the second one. I can’t remember much about it – isn’t Regan possessed again? George C.Scott is Kinderman in the third, by the way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will do my best with Ju-On 2. It’s really come down to a matter of time—I have not been able to watch much of anything.
YES! I love that scene. So, so terrifying. EIII is incredible.
Didn’t I talk about George C. Scott in my review? Or did I say his name wrong? I love his portrayal as Kinderman. Really amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You did mention Scott – I was half asleep. I posted it and Tina said, why did you put George C. Scott? Tyler already dropped his name! Tsst. What can I say? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, no worries! I couldn’t remember the name of the actor who portrayed Kinderman in the original film. George C. Scott is unforgettable.
LikeLike