976-EVIL (1988)

"Push 666 for your horror-scope." - Telephone

A guy gets demonic powers when he makes too many phone calls to an evil hot-line.
Starring: Stephen Geoffreys, Patrick O'Bryan, Sandy Dennis, Lezlie Deane

Link to IMDB

Spike and Suzie

We are introduced to Spike and Hoax, two cousins in high school that are complete opposites. Spike is a tough rebel, always gambling and riding his motorcycle around, while Hoax is a nerdy wimp that constantly gets bullied by everyone including his religious mother. Spike tries his best to protect Hoax from getting beat up, but he's an easy target. After losing big at poker one night, Spike decides to call a horoscope hot-line, 976- EVIL, and a spooky voice suggests that he should steal money from his aunt. When he's caught in the act, fish fall from the sky! His aunt exclaims that it's a sign from God that Spike has evil in him.
We see some other people in the city have also been calling the number, but they are killed by a supernatural force if they don't follow the phone's advice, so it looks like Spike has got himself into some real danger. Even though things are pretty spooky, it's delivered in such a way that we know wacky times are on the horizon.

Hoax

Spike's getting tired of the "horror-scopes" he keeps receiving, and narrowly escapes death when he resists the evil things they ask him to do. Hoax starts calling instead and the voice suggests that he spend some time with Spike's girlfriend, Suzie. They go for pizza and have a great time, but things go bad when the bullies show up and start beating on Hoax. Feeling spurned by Suzie, he calls the hot-line for comfort, which leads to him performing a satanic ritual in his bedroom. He just wants to scare Suzie, but it turns out that he can't control the power he's unleashed! When Hoax tells Spike about the prank gone awry their friendship is ripped apart, and something inside Hoax snaps, revealing the dark and angry emotions he's kept hidden. It's not long before Hoax starts changing and becoming possessed by evil. Things start getting real crazy when he decides to kill the bullies! The gore is fun and cheesy, as Hoax starts transforming into a sassy demon. Stephen Geoffreys performance through-out is a real treat!

"People are just interested in ewoks, ET, football, and phone sex." -  Mark Dark

As Hoax becomes more powerful and insane, Spike is forced to confront him before he kills more people, but can he reach Hoax's humanity before it's too late!? The climactic battle looks fantastic, and must have cost a small fortune as the same powers transforming Hoax have taken control of his entire house, literally bringing hell into his home!
It starts slow, but overall is a good dark comedy in the classic 80's manner. There's even some surreal flair to it, which feels original. How or why the phone number is evil may not be explained, but who cares? It's supposed to be absurd, and there's a sequel that might reveal more answers!

Be sure not to miss:
- Dante's Cafe, El Diablo theater, etc. Apparently the city itself is going for the hell theme.
- Small roles by Darren E. Burrows and Robert Picardo
- Drunk Santa!
- One of the few movies directed by Robert Englund

Internet review:
"Stephen Geoffreys is the type of actor that Bob Saget and Eminem wish they could be!" - CharlesCrumb

Should I watch it?
Yeah, it's good 80's weirdo times.

Where can I find it?
I used the stagevu link here.

976-EVIL gets...