976 chiamata per il diavolo 2

I have to say this movie surprised me in that it was very well produced and directed. This movie is much better than the original 976-evil movie, the acting is better, the script is better and the characters are more believeable. Now let me talk a little bit about the main character in the movie, her name is Debbie James and wow what a hottie! She is a former Miss Teen USA and a former Miss USA finalist. She is also a former Miss Colorado. Her acting isn't bad either in this movie and she is the main character. I wish Debbie james would appear in more movies (she only has had minor roles in a few subsequent movies) but at least we get to see her as the main character in this interesting movie, which is certainly worth renting and even buying. I give this movie 8 out of 10 stars!

This sequel has the survivor from the first tracking down a serial killer who is apparently using the 976-evil line to gain demonic powers. The thing is with this story is he isn't really becoming demonic as the character in the first film was. Yeah he shows signs of it but it isn't the same kind of way. More or less he uses astral projection. Almost a different story with the 976-Evil name on it. For straight to video it isn't bad really. Its true claim to fame for horror fans is one scene that steals the movie.That being one of the characters is zapped into the TV and is put into a situation that begins as Its a Wonderful Life and turns into Night of the Living Dead. Such a clever combination and it works so well. Its an idea that's good and executed well but belongs in a better movie. Other than that you have a few car explosions and people being ran over and a few death scenes. Also has a fairly interesting ending which especially at that time you didn't see a lot. Acting wise its your standard low budget actors and nobody is really "phoning " it in. There are also a couple of cameos and a sign to a play that most horror fans will get and understand. So its not great but its not bad either. The wonder life/living dead scene is a show stealer but the movie is average at best.

976-Evil 2 (1991) is a far better film than the first movie. The film-makers didn't try to be serious with the subject matter and the players seem to be enjoying themselves. Shot on the cheap, the sequel follows Spike and his attempts to stop the evil behind that darn 976-EVIL. He's still tooling around on his motorcycle looking like a rebel without a clue. But this time around he has one. It's up to him to stop the madness. A little worse for wear (Spike's sporting a five o'clock shadow that comes and goes) but he's all clad in black leather and looking to kick some demonic butt!

Like I said, a very entertaining movie. Unlike the first film the black humor works. The villain in this movie is real creepy and funny as well. The film's direction flows along at a reasonable pace (thanks to the ever reliable Jim Wynorski) and the blood flows. I'm glad they stopped after this one. I probably couldn't take another sequel.

Recommended.

B

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Horror sequels are a curious breed. Often, they struggle to capture the essence of what made their predecessors successful, or they amplify the wrong elements in a misguided attempt to outdo the original. "976-Evil II" (1991) is one such film-a movie that exists in the shadow of its predecessor but ends up being a fascinatingly chaotic and campy ride. Directed by Jim Wynorski, a prolific filmmaker known for his exploitation films, this sequel dials into a horror subgenre that revels in its own absurdity, delivering a mixed bag of supernatural thrills, low-budget effects, and unintentional comedy.

Plot Overview

"976-Evil II" follows the cursed phone line concept from the original film but takes it in an entirely different, and somewhat nonsensical, direction. The story centers around Robin (Debbie James), a college student who starts experiencing terrifying visions after answering a call from the demonic hotline. Enter Grubeck (Rene Assa), a sadistic college dean who gains the ability to astral project and commit murders thanks to the satanic power of the 976-evil hotline. As Robin teams up with Spike (Patrick O'Bryan), a returning character from the first film, they must confront Grubeck's ghostly rampage before he completes his sinister plans.

Aesthetics and Direction: Wynorski's direction is a testament to the "more is more" philosophy that dominated low-budget horror in the early 90s. The film is a hodgepodge of horror tropes, from possession and slasher elements to outlandish supernatural occurrences. The effects are a particular highlight (or lowlight, depending on your perspective)-with Grubeck's ability to astral project leading to a series of bizarre death scenes that feel more like a fever dream than a cohesive narrative.

One particularly memorable scene involves a victim being trapped inside a television, forced to live through a warped version of "It's a Wonderful Life" that ends in her brutal demise. It's moments like these where the film's absurdity reaches a peak, offering a glimpse into the kind of surreal horror that can only come from a director unafraid to push the boundaries of good taste.

Visually, "976-Evil II" is drenched in neon lighting, fog machines, and quick cuts, creating a disorienting atmosphere that mirrors the disjointed nature of the plot.

**Performances:** The acting in "976-Evil II" is a mixed bag, with some performances adding to the film's campy charm while others fall flat. Rene Assa as Grubeck chews the scenery with relish, delivering lines with a menacing glee that makes his character's descent into madness all the more entertaining. His performance is one of the film's saving graces, providing a villain who is both ridiculous and genuinely unsettling.

Debbie James, as the film's final girl, brings a certain vulnerability to Robin, though her character is often overshadowed by the over-the-top events surrounding her. Patrick O'Bryan reprises his role as Spike, but his character feels more like a plot device than a fully fleshed-out protagonist. He's the link to the original film, yet he spends most of the movie reacting to the insanity around him rather than driving the plot forward.

The tone is where the movie truly sets itself apart from its predecessor. While the original "976-Evil" (1988), directed by Robert Englund of Freddy Krueger fame, had a darker and more serious approach to its horror, the sequel veers into outright camp. This shift in tone makes "976-Evil II" feel less like a continuation and more like a parody of the original. The film's blend of horror and humor doesn't always work, leading to moments that are more confusing than scary. However, for fans of B-movies, this tonal inconsistency can be part of the film's appeal.

Cultural Impact and Legacy: In the grand scheme of horror cinema, "976-Evil II" is a footnote-an oddity that's more likely to be found in a midnight movie marathon than in any serious discussion of the genre. Yet, it's precisely this obscurity that gives the film its cult status. Like many low-budget horror sequels of its time, "976-Evil II" appeals to a niche audience who revel in its absurdity, its flaws, and its unapologetic embrace of the ridiculous.

The film also serves as a reminder of the creative risks taken by directors like Wynorski, who were willing to push the boundaries of what horror could be, even if the results were often more laughable than terrifying. In a way, "976-Evil II" is a celebration of the excesses of early 90s horror, a time when filmmakers were experimenting with new ideas, technologies, and ways to shock audiences-no matter how bizarre the outcome.

Conclusion: "976-Evil II" is not a good film by traditional standards. It's poorly paced, questionably acted, and the plot is a disjointed mess. But that's exactly what makes it such a fascinating watch. For fans of schlocky, so-bad-it's-good cinema, this sequel offers a treasure trove of outrageous moments and unintentional comedy that's hard to find in today's more polished horror fare.

If you're looking for a coherent, genuinely scary movie, "976-Evil II" will disappoint. But if you're in the mood for a surreal, campy trip through the wild world of early 90s horror, this film might just be your perfect midnight dial-in. Whether you love it or hate it, "976-Evil II" is a film that demands to be seen-if only to be believed.

The possessing 976-EVIL phone line is back. This time, murderer Teacher must finish what he started.. whatever it is.

With visions, astral projection, a helpful out-of-town biker "romance" and more.. or less.

Sadly, this isn't gory or interesting enough to be something worth recommending. There's basically no plot aside from the crazy teacher killing people and being weirdly in love with the main actress. But nothing he does or happens further his agenda in that direction. So it feels very underwritten. Yet the ending wasn't at all what I expected, which was a nice surprise.

Debbie James is quite a charming actress, and it has more than a few very interesting visual effects and ideas. So it is not a total loss.