The latest trailer for director Saiyon Srisawat’s horror film “TAKIEN: HAUNTED TREE” has hit the web.

With over 100 years of cinema to look back upon, I tend to cut genre movies a bit of slack when it comes to original ideas; let’s face it, there really isn’t a whole lot that’s new under the sun when it comes to terror flicks. With that little caveat accepted, there’s certainly some fun to be had from seeing an idea that isn’t just old, but even hackneyed, being run through the mill one more time, as long as there’s a fresh point of view operating behind it that adds a whole new dimension of fun or thrills into the mix.

The title of HYSTERICAL PSYCHO (currently awaiting theatrical release after assorted festival dates) refers to at least one of the characters and is a pretty good description of the movie itself as well. It’s a berserk, over-the-top, wildly uneven assault of humorous and homagistic horror that’s decidedly not for all tastes—but those who do enjoy its flavor are gonna eat it up.

British writer/director Daniel Simpson gave Fango some details and exclusive photos (see ’em after the jump) on his new fright film SPIDERHOLE. The movie was recently picked up for UK/Irish distribution by Soda Pictures, which plans a theatrical release this fall.

SHIVERS (a.k.a. THEY CAME FROM WITHIN)

1975, Canada

Poster country of origin: France

47” x 63”

There haven’t been too many movies lately revolving around witchcraft and satanic rituals, and in that respect, THE HAGSTONE DEMON is a fun breath of fresh air. Shot on what was clearly a low budget, Jon Springer’s tale of a haunted apartment complex (which has played festivals and is awaiting wider release) is generally successful and entertaining throughout.

Fango heard from Andy Davis and Sandy McKeon, creators of ADELLE, the first feature from their Abandoned Cinema company that hits DVD from Elite/Hannover House in October, and they sent a couple of exclusive photos that you can see below the jump. Directed by Davis from a script he wrote with McKeon (who also co-stars), it’s described by the latter as “somewhere between ALICE IN WONDERLAND and FREAKS—a pony-cart ride into hell.”

Various sources are reporting that Dennis Hopper died today of prostate cancer at his home in Venice Beach. The influential actor and director was 74.

Jason Horton, co-director and co-writer of last year’s zombie opus EDGES OF DARKNESS, got in touch with the news that his new feature TRAP is now available on DVD, and sent an exclusive still you can see past the jump. He describes the movie, which he scripted and helmed solo, as “a thriller following a brutal abduction that gets even worse when the middle-aged kidnapper falls for his 15-year-old victim.

Mother knows best. Especially if you’re gawky Ronald Wilby (Scott Jacoby)—who, on his 16th birthday, accidentally crushes a little girl’s skull on a cinderblock and hastily buries her body in the shallowest of graves. Mom’s solution? Wall Ronald off in the spare bathroom of their house, sealing him in with plaster and gaudy floral-print wallpaper so that the police will never find him.

I had planned to write a rave review of Niels Arden Oplev’s terrific film of Steig Larson’s incredible novel THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO for this second blog, but due to all the insanity surrounding the publication of my new book CITIES OF NIGHT, I haven’t had the time to go see the must-watch movie a second time and have only just finished the book.