Evilspeak (1982)

Evilspeak (R)

"When Howy met Carrie"

Take DePalma's hit movie Carrie, copy it but make the lead a misunderstood computer guy nerd, and instead of the waifish Sissy Spacek hire the other Howard brother (that would be Clint), and make the setting a strict military school that has a basement filled with arcane satanic artifacts that can provide your bullied teen with his needed supernatural revenge, and you have Evilspeak.  A low budget cash-in on the 80s mania for cheap horror films, the movie levitates just above the pack with some good visuals, well made violence and retro computer usage.  Just like Stephen King's wet dreams, the movie is judged by the climax, and Evilspeak delivers as Howard goes over to the darkside and is possessed by the spirit of satanic Esteban (Richard Moll in one of his many Bmovie villain roles) and brings the house down (or chapel in this case).  Fun, weird and whole-heartedly blasphemous (hey, Exorcist was pretty successful too!), Evilspeak isn't a great film but is a good knock-off.

6 Clint Howard doesn't really need a mask out of 10 (GOOD)