PodBill Just what I expected

Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Avinash Shukla I couldn't really put aside my urge to review this film. For me it falls in the 'so bad it's good' category. I mean we have seen a lot of horror titles from the early 80s, but this one takes the cake for it's genuine but hyper imaginative plot. I don't know how Eric Weston and the writers conceived this idea, but overall 'Evilspeak' is a solid entertainer and worth the money spent. I was so moved by its plot that Evilspeak and its character stayed with me for a long-long time and I really don't want to forget them for they are wonderful in their own right.A nerdy but intelligent student in a military school Stanley Coopersmith (Clint Howard) is actually studying on a scholarship. Being an orphan, he has no background for tale telling. Since he is studying on scholarship, his classmates Bubba (Don Stark) and his gang of spoiled brats keep demeaning Stanley by addressing him with derogatory names. The management and the staff isn't on Stanley's side too as we see their coach (Claude Earl Jones) and Principal Colonel Kincaid (Charles Tyner) keep seeking opportunities to bereave Stanley from his general rights. Stanley often confides in Kowalski (Haywood Nelson), who somehow understands Stanley's miseries and unjust attitude of the others and school staff towards him. Once Stanley is punished for coming late into the class (a part of routine prank against him) and is asked to clean the cellar of the school. Once there, Stanley finds a 500 year old diary of Father Esteban (Richard Moll) written in old Latin. Stanley being a computer wizard translates the journal and to his amazement finds that the diary may contain solution to end his miseries in the most brutal way. As his research on the diary continues, Stanley becomes affirmed that he may have the key to unlock the doors of the netherworld to let the hungry evil spirits come to his assistance. When Stanley's research is over, he summons the evil spirit of Father Esteban to wreak havoc on those who wronged him.Evilspeak is a collector's gem for everyone who is impressed by the horror films of the early 80s. The signature background music is simple and one of its kind and also unforgettable. I really wish Eric Weston should have made a sequel to entertain horror lovers like me, but I think Evilspeak was lost somewhere in the multitude of horror films that were released in the early 80s. However, unlike regular slashers that are loved for death scenes and gore, Evilspeak should be loved for its eccentricity. Despite being a slow-paced violent bonanza, I give it a 10 for the solid entertainment if offers for 97 minutes.

Sam Panico Post-Carrie, we've seen so many films where people turn to the Devil to help them fit in or fight back against bullies. But let's face it — when you dress up Carrie White or Sissy Spacek or Chloë Grace Moretz, they end up being attractive. But Clint Howard? There's really no dressing up Clint.Don't get me wrong. I love the man and his many, many contributions to film (Balok from the Star Trek TV series, Carnosaur, Apollo 13, Rock 'n Roll High School and so much more). But you can totally see how he fits his role as Stanley Coopersmith in this movie.Evilspeak starts in the past, where Satanist Father Esteban (Richard Moll, who ends up in these reviews a lot, thanks to films like The Nightmare Never Ends and The Dungeonmaster) and his followers are exiled from Spain and denied the grace of God, unless they renounce Satan and his evil ways. We wouldn't have a movie if they gave in, right?Fast forward to the 80's. Stanley Coopersmith is an orphan, a poor kid who has been allowed into a military school alongside the children of some of the nation's richest and most powerful people. Everybody — including the teachers — pretty much use Stanley like a punching bag. While cleaning the church cellar, he finds Father Esteban's room, which is filled with black magic books and a diary. Stanley uses his 1981 computer skills to translate the book and learn more about Esteban. My words will not translate how great Stanley's Apple II's computing power is.The next morning, Stanley's classmates tie up his clothes and unplug his alarm clock, which leads him to be punished. As he cleans the stables, the school secretary finds Esteban's diary. As she plays with the jewel's on the cover, pigs attack Stanley. He returns to his room to find all of his belongings destroyed and his book gone.Sick of running out of computer time, Stanley steals a computer and sets it up in the basement. He's only missing a few ingredients — human blood and a consecrated host.That evening, the cook takes pity on Stanley and gives him Fred, aRead more at bandsaboutmovies.com/2017/10/19/evilspeak-1981/

Stephen Abell What surprises me most about this title is that I haven't seen it up until recently, as it's right up my alley... dark, nasty, and messed up.This is the story of Stanley Coopersmith, a strange gawky kid who finds it hard to make friends and so ends up as a joke and punching bag for the other cadets at military school. However, while he's being punished by having to tidy up the chapel's basement he finds a secret room and a book of Satanic spells and worship. These were hidden away by a rogue priest Father Esteban, who had been banished to the Americas.Unable to read the scriptures in the book, Coopersmith uses the schools' computer to translate them. and when he finally carries out the Black Mass all hell breaks loose at the school and the chapel.One of the better aspects of this film is the cast as it stars Clint Howard as Coopersmith and it's really nice to see him in a lead role and not just playing a strange and creepy secondary role. Though he's young here, he does a good job.Then there's R J Armstrong who plays Sarge, the drunk janitor looking after the school and chapel, who hates kids and has it out for Coopersmith. Armstrong is great in this portrayal, he gives the air of a man you just wouldn't trust.Charles Tyner does a brilliant representation of a prig of a Colonel who finds it demeaning and below him to run the military school.Finally, Richard Moll is excellent in the role of the Evil Father Esteban. He adds the right amount of power, menace and violence to the character to make him believable as being the hand of Satan.For the time, the special effects would have been superb, especially the computer graphics (which today are cringeworthy and laughable) and most are still passable today. The climax of the film in the destruction of the God's house is very well done and created.All in all, this is a pretty decent horror movie with a lot of the right elements and well directed by Eric Weston. A definite watch for a horror nut and if you're not, it's still worth a look-see on a dark night...

gavin6942 A military cadet who happens to be a social outcast (Clint Howard) taps into a way to summon demons and cast spells on his tormentors through his computer.What a strange film this is. A military academy, a long-dead occult priest, a computer that taps into Satan's power, flesh-eating pigs... and somehow, though not necessarily well, this all makes some kind of sense.Although a generally enjoyable movie, it may be a bit too hyped by its fans. There is that 1980s fun to it, and it was exquisite gore that should be experienced at least one (easily rivaling what Tom Savini did for "Maniac"). And Clint Howard is incredible (especially alongside R. G. Armstrong). But the build up is really slow, and it could have been edited down by a good five minutes or more... the payoff is great, but it requires more than a little patience. This is not a "slow burn", but a lukewarm crawl at best.