Directed by Robert Englund. Hoax (Stephen Geoffreys) is a nerdy teen whose obsessively religious mother (Sandy Dennis) babies him. His rebellious (but protective) cousin Spike
(Patrick O’Bryan) discovers a hotline that delivers a “horrorscope”—couplets that generally urge people to do bad things, such as when Spike is told to steal a pair of gloves he wants and can’t afford: “A real man has the nerves to take what he deserves.” Spike is able to resist, but Hoax is drawn in by the chance to get revenge on the bullies at school. Meanwhile, reporter Marty (Jim Metzler) and his acquaintance Angela (María Rubell) are trying to figure out what’s going on. They team up with Spike to fight a now completely demonized (while retaining his wardrobe of sweater-vests) Hoax and send him to hell.
The film was a bit more relevant back in 1988, when people had hotlines for everything and used pay phones frequently. But it’s still true that phones are everywhere. It’s not too corny, as ‘80s movies go. There are a few disturbing moments, like when a boatload of tarantulas come out of a TV dinner and attack. The one-liners are even kinda funny, like when Hoax has killed two bullies and while brandishing their organs approaches their friends, who are playing cards: “Would it be possible to enter the game with a pair of hearts?”
I appreciate that Hoax uses a point-down pentagram for his satanic rituals; most filmmakers (particularly in older movies) use point-up, which is really insulting to Wiccans—it’s like the difference between a right-side-up and upside-down cross to Christians. My gripes are few: Marty and Angela are pretty much useless and detract from the main story, and I grew bored with the long, drawn-out ending. But overall I enjoy it. Give it a look if you’re in the mood for something goofy but gory.
GhoulieJoe 