The Greek Speaks...

Making the Grade: Week Five: Alabama vs Florida

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:39:00 GMT

This past weekend was so painful, it stings just as bad 5 days later. #3 (now #2) Alabama rolled into the Swamp and stomped the Gators 38-10. It is something Gator fans have seen in the last 3 contests against the Crimson Tide...none of which have been within 15 points.It started out with promise as the Gators struck on the first play with a 65 yard TD pass from Brantley to Debose. A 1st quarter lead quickly gave way to a tie...and then a 14 point lead for Alabama at the half.They would actually score the last 35 points of the game...unanswered. Let's get to the grades so I can wash this game from memory.

Quarterback: John Brantley started off hot and really, aside from the crippling Upshaw pick six, did not play all too badly before going out with a high ankle sprain. Jeff Driskell looked mortified in relief of the injured Brantley. 90,000 fans screaming at the top of their lungs, it's like being in a closet with a TV on a static channel turned up as loud as it will go...x 100. Those Bama defensive linemen had bad intentions too. It was just too much too soon for an inexperienced freshman. He'll get his baptism by fire next week as his first career start comes at Death Valley.

Grade: C

Running backs: Their ineffectiveness was due to our offensive line not getting it done up front and the Alabama defense looking like an NFC East defense. When they did have a hole to run through, they went down with the first contact. Rainey and Demps are going to have to be more elusive this weekend if we hope to avoid another 28 point loss.

Grade: D

Offensive Line: Granted, Alabama's defensive line was dominant...but our O-line failed to step up...and they got Brantley killed on more than just the one occasion. It would be easy to let them off the hook by continuing to praise Alabama's defense...but Gators don't make excuses. they stunk it up and they know it.

Grade: F

Receivers: They actually showed up this week...which was pleasantly surprising. They did what they could and actually were getting open and trying to come back to the QB when he was scrambling. Debose had the big catch for a TD, and almost came up with another huge TD grab...but it was just a bit too hard to keep control of. They will definitely need to keep this momentum going to have a chance against LSU.

Grade: B

Charlie Weis: He came out all guns blazing and seemed to have really schemed to get mismatches against the Bama defense...what few there were. Had Brantley not been hurt we could have seen more of his plan, but Driskell being pressed into duty changed everything.

Grade: A-

Defensive Line: They played their guts out. They really rose to the occasion in the 3rd quarter and held Alabama at bay...hoping for some support from the offense that never came. The two touchdowns in the 4th quarter were because of fatigue....and Trent Richardson is an animal and even better than Mark Ingram could have ever hoped to be. They will nee to play even harder in Death Valley.

Grade: B

Linebackers: Aside from Jon Bostic trying to go all MMA on a Bama O-linemen...they unit did what they could to slow Richardson down. They did not get any pressure on McCarron and they fudged gap responsibility on more than a few plays. Hopefully they rebound this week and help keep the Gators in the game.

Grade: C+

Secondary: They played too soft all evening and blew TE coverages to the point where my forehead was pounding from the throbbing vein bulging from it. Matt Elam was the only one who played worth a damn in the secondary...and there needs to be some major changes if we are to have teams respect our pass defense.

Grade: D

Dan Quinn: He gets some of the blame along with Will. The team tackled poorly and could not generate a pass rush. That was key to Alabama being able to do what they wanted, running between the tackles and when forced...throwing thew ball down field for 10-15 yards a pop. Good thing about this...it is a taste of adversity that could possibly make this whole team, not just the defense, stronger.

Grade: C+

Will Muschamp: Well, he certainly got into Bostic's ass for his WWE imitation...and he never stoped coaching them up nor did his fire and intensity wan even when it was evident that Florida was out classed. We have a good one in Will, and he and the team will grow from this tough experience in front of the home crowd.

Grade: B

Making the Grade: Week Four: Florida vs Kentucky

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:38:00 GMT

And the streak continues. The game was never in doubt as Florida compiled 405 rushing yards in the 48-10 thrashing of Kentucky. After a slow start, the Gators got rolling. The defense was nasty and aggressive, and Caleb Sturgis puts us in range once we hit the 35 yard line...not very many teams can boast that. The Wildcat losing streak to the Gators is now at 25, and quite honestly, it does not look like the Mildcats are going to snap the streak any time soon. It was another excellent team effort, and for the good of Will Muschamp's blood pressure, the penalties were few as the Gators certainly improved from last week's flag festival. This week is a true test against Alabama, so let's jump right in and see how each position graded out in Lexington.

Quarterback: Brantley did another fine job of managing the game. He has yet to be forced into throwing the ball down the field...and that changes this week for sure. But for last week, he did another outstanding job under center. His grade is an A-, but Jeff Driskel brings the grade down to a B-. Even though he is just a Freshman. he did not look ready or able to live up to the hype that followed him to Florida. This needs to change...immediately.

Grade: B-

Running Back: Jeff Demps went off for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns and Chris Rainey added 100 plus yards of his own to the Gators' total of 405. Gillisie looked fantastic as well, but next week will tell the tale. This was the most yards rushing for a Gator team since they faced New Mexico over 20 years ago. Would love to have a repeat performance next week against the Tide...but that is dreaming.

Grade: A++

Offensive Line: They started out TERRIBLE on the first two series, but got it together on the 3rd series. They opened up massive holes and protected Brantley when they had to. Their rough start affected their grade this week, and they will have to be much sharper when they face the NFL-esque defense of Alabama in the Swamp this Saturday.

Grade: B++

Receivers: No mincing words...I am concerned here. Not one player has stepped up aside from Gerald Christian in Jordan Reed's two week injury absence. Not one of the true wideouts has caught a ball for more than 40 yards, and that is glaring back at me as I look through the stats. That MUST change on Saturday or Alabama will just stack 9 in the box and dare us to throw. The time is now for these wide outs.

Grade: D

Charlie Weis: What can I say, he has done a perfect job at Florida so far. The play calling has been stellar as Weis has a way of making his play book fit the talent around him...unlike the 2010 Addazio version of the Florida offense. Now the big test comes and it is up to Charlie and company to keep my posting all this love up. If anyone can game plan to beat an NFL style defense...it's Weis.

Grade: A+

Defensive Line: Quickly becoming the nastiest line in the country, the boys keep disrupting plays in the backfield. Jaye Howard scored a touchdown on a 2 yard fumble recovery, and Dominique Easley and Sharrif Floyd punished the Wildcats offensive line. Ronald Powell had a quiet game, only 2 tackles...but one was fo a loss. He'll need to factor more if Florida is to slow down the Alabama running attack next week. All in all, another solid effort by the boys up front.

Grade: A++

Linebackers: Probably the biggest surprise of the Gator defense, the linebacker play has been outstanding. Jelani Jenkins continues to prove their is not a tight end or running back he cannot cover, and we even showed a little bit of depth in Lexington this week. 2nd stringer Taylor had 6 tackles and 2 for losses. Jon Bostic led the defense with 10 tackles, 8 solo, 1 sack, and forced the fumble that Howard took to the end zone. They will have to be gap sound this week when they take on Alabama's Trent Richardson.

Grade: A+

Secondary: The pass interference penalties seemed to quiet down from last week, and the unit played solid as a whole. Still, this is the biggest question mark on the defense. Matt Elam has made his presence felt, his interception spurred on a 21 point outburst by the gators in a span of 4 minutes. We also have found some big time hitters in the secondary as Josh Evans looked like he was playing angry in Lexington. Freshman CB Purifoy made some solid plays and Josh Shaw showed he wasn't the only "Josh" that could bring the hurt. Saturday against Alabama will show just how far along this secondary has come as a unit.

Grade: A-

Dan Quinn: He continues to show me that Muschamp made the right hire. His NFL approach has turned in some magnificent chemistry on the defense and has made this unit even more aggressive than previously thought. The turnovers are starting to happen as his "ball-hawking" philosophy has taken root and spread like wildfire amongst the Gators defense. If he can manage to scheme a way to limit Richardson and Lacy next week, their may be no ceiling for this defense.

Grade: A++

Special Teams: Caleb Sturgis is 11-11 on field goals this year. His back seems healthy and his kick-offs have all been deep save for one. We need a little more consistency from the punting game, but both return teams and kick cover units played extremely well in Lexington and for the season to date. They will need flawless execution against Alabama this week in the Swamp for the Gators to have a shot at knocking off the Crimson Tide.

Grade: A-

Will Muschamp: 4 games into his career at Florida, and I do not know where we would be without him. Sure, we haven't done anything different than last year (4-0 start in 2010), but just seeing his passion and intensity on the sidelines has made me realize what an excellent choice Jeremy Foley made when he picked up the phone and called Will. He already passed his first two tests...Tennessee in the Swamp and his first SEC road game at Kentucky...now comes the midterm exam...Alabama. I have great confidence that this game will not be the embarrassing 31-3 beating we took last year in Tuscaloosa. For the fans, I don't think we are looking for an SEC title in year one, we just want to be competitive when facing the SEC elite. So far, so good...and with Will...we have a shot at knocking off his mentor Saban come Saturday night in the Swamp.

Next Week: It's Alabama folks. We weren't even supposed to be a test for Saban and the Tide, but things look more like a clash of the titans rather than a tune up for the Tide. This is a tough 4 game stretch for the Gators coming up...but they do control their own destiny. Win every game in front of us...that's what we must do. It starts with Alabama in the Swamp...a game I feel much better about than I did in April.

Making the Grade: Week Three: Tennessee vs Florida

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:34:00 GMT

The atmosphere was electric as Florida took the field in Will Muschamp's first SEC game as head coach. The hated SEC East rivals Tennessee brought in a vaunted passing attack and motivation to end the 6 game losing streak in their series with Florida.

The Gators did not disappoint the 90K fans and as a matter of fact, the chatter went from a possible 3rd place finish in the SEC East to talk of Florida possibly booking their tickets to Atlanta in December. The 33-23 victory extended Florida's streak to 7 in the series, and a 22-19 lead overall against the Vols.

But before we get to the grades...much like what Will Muschamp will do on Monday...I am going to address P-E-N-A-L-T-I-E-S! They were damned ridiculous on Saturday. Granted...about 1/3 of the calls against Florida were horrible...but that still leaves 10 penalties that we did EARN. Only one personal foul...and Josh Shaw just needs to be more aware of where he is on the field before lowering the boom. A couple of false start penalties turned touchdowns into field goals. That needs to be cleaned up before we face Alabama in two weeks for sure.

Quarterback- John Brantley has become quite the efficient game manager for the Gators. He did not throw an interception this week. He was 14-23 for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Again, he took what the defense gave him. He did not try to force the ball down field and played mistake free football in a HUGE game for this young Gator team. He has truly become more vocal and is a REAL leader on the field. If he continues to trust Weis' system and plays within it...Florida COULD have the opportunity to add a 9th SEC title. If there was one thing to take from his performance that JB should work on...elevating the ball. He had 5 tipped passes from defensive linemen.

Grade: A

Running backs: What else can be said about Chris Rainey? He is as advertised and has really exploded in Weis' system. His field vision has been perfect...being able to read the blocks down field. He has become one of the most versatile weapons in the country, and really has become the next "Percy Harvin". Jeff Demps was nursing a sore hip, but he managed to factor in the game on Saturday. Trey Burton also had a nice game and is a great option to have inside the 5 yard line. Again, the knock is a lack of a power running game...but when these guys are running through huge holes, making people miss, and picking up blitzes without error...this stable of backs can start to be mentioned along with Alabama and South Carolina's rushing attack.

Grade A+

Receivers: Once again, the defensive game plan of the Gators' opposition decided that it would be easier to not give up the big play...and again, Brantley made them pay dearly by killing them with the checkdowns. Still, I haven't seen them gain much separation. This MUST be remedied THIS WEEK against a really poor Kentucky team. Jordan Reed was out Saturday with a tweaked hamstring, and Christian did well in his absence, but at some point, the Gators are going to need a vertical attack and each week I am having a hard time seeing that come to fruition.

Grade: C

Offensive Line: What an amazing unit!!! They have really come together, especially considering the poor performance last year. You can see the chemistry that they have developed. They get off the ball quickly, and they were opening HUGE holes for our running games. What has really been outstanding has been their pass protection. Brantley had plenty of time to go through his progressions and THAT makes this Florida offense awfully hard to stop. They only gave up one sack against the Vols and that was actually on a busted trick play. The line's play seems to get better every week and they give me great confidence going into our first road trip of the season.

Grade: A+

Charlie Weis: Will Muschamp deserves coach of the year just for luring Weis away from the NFL. All joking aside, Weis has really done wonders with an offensive group that was lost most of the 2010 season. Brantley looks like a different player altogether and it has everything to do with Weis, his system, and they way he develops his quarterbacks. Weis' play calling has been stellar as well and Saturday saw him open up a little more of the playbook. His orchestration of the first drive on Saturday was masterful, and in my opinion, that was the game winner. I know it was early...but it set the tone for the entire game. He also went for it on 4th down from the one yard line, which ended up being the difference in the game when you figure it changed Tennessee's game plan for the second half.

Grade: A++

Defensive Line: It was GREAT to see Sharrif Floyd play on Saturday. As expected, he provided a boost to a unit that really did not need one. In other words, the Gators went from damned good to DOMINANT with Floyd's presence. The D-line provided pressure all game on the very talented Tyler Bray. They were smothering when it came to the run, which has always been the key statistic in the rivalry since 1990. Jaye Howard and Dominique Easley were unblockable, which allowed Florida to only have to rush four from mid way through the second quarter on. They totaled 3 sacks against a Vols team that did not let Bray get hit...let alone sacked against Cincinnati last week. They only allowed 1 rush of 10 yards (Poole scampered for 10 yards) and smothered the rest of the Vols attempts to establish the run. -13 yards rushing allowed...we can guess at the grade these Big'Uns earned.

Grade: A+++

Linebackers: They are continuing to grow and they feed off of the dominance of the D-Line. This front seven is quickly gaining a reputation and with their continual growth, come season's end, this group of young and nasty animals will be one of the top if not THE top unit in the Nation. Jelani Jenkins was all over the field again on Saturday. He did drop a couple of interceptions but showed why he can cover any TE or RB in the country...he also did well in the flats against the Vols receivers. Jon Bostic had a fantastic game as well, swallowing up running backs and smothering Bray with pressure from the interior. Powell and McCray added their versatility and containment on the outside culminating in another impressive defensive performance.

Grade: A++

Secondary: Overall, they did a fine job, especially in the 2nd half when the Vols had to abandon the run and Bray was flinging it all over the field. However, the pass interference penalties were ridiculous. Now, a few of them were ticky tack piss ass calls where the ref should have kept the flag in his pocket. A couple were out right terrible calls because Shaw and Riggs had a brief grab of the jerseys (which should have been called holding...if anything) and did not affect the play. What our DB's need to learn is if the refs are calling these touch penalties...react and play cleaner. They did pick Bray twice, and had two more erased because of ill timed penalties...and they benefited from Hunter's unfortunate injury. The thing to take from this is that they have yet to be burnt deep and they continue to play physical. Matt Elam continues to impose his will.

Grade: B--

Dan Quinn: Dan continues to get improvement out of his defense each week. The ability to get continual pressure on the QB just rushing 4 men goes along way to making you look like a genius. Bryant Young deserves a big "atta-boy!" for his work with the defensive line. Everywhere you look on Florida's staff...there's multiple years of NFL experience and almost as many Super Bowl rings as Canton. Dan and Will have this defensive machine humming along. This may be a perfect storm with the way the offensive line is gelling and the offense is chewing up yardage and confidence. He claimed we would see a more aggressive, dictating, blue collar defense. What we have gotten is a nasty, fast, mean, and smothering brick wall that hits you before you hit it.

Grade: A++

Special Teams: We had one poor punt and allowed one kick return to the 40 yard line. That's about all I can find to criticize. Caleb Sturgis is perfect this season, going 9-9 and having a almost limitless range. Muschamp stated that we are in range as soon as we hit the 35. That is something not very many teams can brag about. Our return game does well...and if Rainey doesn't slip on his cut, we may be talking about a 55 yard punt return for a TD to go along with his blocked punt...the 5th of his Gator career.

Grade: A++

Will Muschamp: Each week he shows me why Foley hired him. He's passionate...he's rah rah guy. He headbutts, chest-bumps, fist-pumps, and earns every bit of the nickname "Coach BOOM!" I like that he gets on the officials just like he does the players. He never stops teaching on defense...just like Weis and the offensive staff. His hiring of them was pure genius. I think the team feeds of of Will's fire and they rally around him. They have bought into his philosophy and the culture change he brought with him. ALL of it was for the better. The air is a little crisper, the colors are a little brighter, and the victories are tasting just that much sweeter. I cannot wait until I see how we perform on our first road trip.

Grade: A+++

It was a great win for Gator Nation on Saturday as they continue to dominate the Vols. Now the focus shifts to Lexington and the Wildcats. Kentucky is not very good, but that doesn't mean we can take them lightly or be looking ahead to Alabama in the Swamp the following week. I am really confident that the Gators are going to be highly motivated and focused on the task at hand.

Go Gators!

Making the Grade: Week Two: UAB vs Florida

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:25:00 GMT

Game two of the Will Muschamp era is in the books and it's time to hand out the grades. Florida disposed of UAB 39-0, gaining their first shut out since since blanking Western Carolina 62-0 in 2006.

Quarterback- Brantley had a very efficient game going 12-19 for 195 yards. He did not throw a touchdown, but did not turn the ball over either. So far, both opponents have played a give and take defense. They take away the deep routs, and Brantley makes a living on the check-downs. At some point, defenses are going to have to take a chance...because UF is piling up yardage...and points...outscoring FAU and UAB 80-3 in two contests.

A-

Running Back- Chris Rainey has been electric on the field. Whether it is out of the backfield as a receiver, or getting the ball handed to him, he's a threat to break one every time. He had 123 yards on 16 carries and score a TD against UAB. Jeff Demps got banged up, nothing serious, but Mike Gillisie had 80 yards on 11 carries in his absence. That gives the Gators a bit more depth. They still lack a power running back, but averaging 7 yards per carry ain't nothing to sneeze at either.

A

Wide Receiver- It's difficult to say that Florida has either a glaring lack of a deep threat or they have been unable to pass the ball deep due to defensive scheming. Still, at some point, the Gators will need to stretch the field and take some deep shots. They did to start the game against UAB, a little razzle dazzle flee flicker that Quinton Dunbar reeled in for 40 yards. But when your tight end is your biggest threat, something needs to give.

B-

Offensive line: They kept Brantley clean again. The one place they failed was in the red zone. The offense seemed to stall once they got to the 20, having to settle for 3 points 3 times. The lack of run production in the red zone and missed blocking assignments in the red zone passing game is something that MUST be worked on this week in practice for Tennessee. But for now, it was good enough to beat UAB.

C+

Charlie Weiss: Another excellent day of play calling for the master. 512 total yards this week, 464 last week. That's pretty solid production. He opened up the play book a bit, but not enough to give Tennessee anything to study for this Saturday. Charlie did a masterful job keeping UAB off balance. The nice thing about having over 500 yards rushing in two games...our leading rusher is NOT our quarterback.

A+

Defensive line: They were held without a sack, but UAB's Ellis spent the majority of his evening picking himself up off the turf at BHGS. Jaye Howard and Dominique Easley provided extreme pressure on the interior and it really disrupted UAB's very precise timing game. Ronald Powell had a couple of great hits, and Green and Hunter played well in the rotation. This week, they get Floyd back. If that's not inspiration enough...I am going to be hard on their grade this week.

B+

Linebackers: Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins have been everywhere. They can match up against any TE and are pretty good covering the back out of the backfield. Laurentee McCray has done exceptionally well since transitioning from defensive end. A little more soundness in the gaps will be needed this week, but against UAB, it was still good enough for the shut out.

A-

Secondary: No doubt, these guys LOVE to hit. I honestly think they let the receivers catch the ball last week just so they could hit them. The leader is Safety Matt Elam, who gave UF their first turnover of 2011 with a forced fumble mixed in with his 6 solo tackles and 1 assist. Josh Evans had a nice game as well, he's really great at tackling in the open field. Cody Riggs also played great on third down. The stakes are much higher this week with Tennessee as the secondary will be facing "like you know...a real quarterback" and a pair of exciting and very talented wide receivers.

A-

Dan Quinn: Dan and Will's philosophy has shown through. There is now leadership and accountability on this defense. Each week, Florida's front seven look more and more like an NFL defense than an NCAA one. That's a good thing, and I love the fact that we are a stop the run first mentality. Whatever Dan is doing, he needs to keep it up.

A+

Special Teams: Caleb Sturgis has been perfect so far this season. He was 3 for 3 last Saturday and his kickoffs have been very deep. I have not seen enough Lerner, but his two punts inside the 20 were nice. The return game, well, teams have to score to actually kick the ball of more than once, and they continually punt away from our returners. Andre Debose has been spectacular in the return game.

A-

Will Muschamp: Next week is his first true BIG game. Regardless of the outcome, I am damned glad to have Will and the Staff he brought with him in Gainesville. They way he stuck up for Sharrif Floyd this week after the NCAA wrongly and unjustly suspened him spoke volumes to me, and it echoed not only through Gator Nation, but the rest of the country as well.

A+++

This week: Good Ol Rocky Top comes a calling to the Swamp. The Gators will try to extend their winning streak in the series to 7 and if they can do that, they will have won 22 of the last 31 games against the Vols.

Making the Grade: Week One: Florida Atlantic vs Florida

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:44:00 GMT

The Greek's weekly grades for the Gators.

The Greek's Ghastly Celluloid Selections (Part II)

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:07:00 GMT

Greetings Boys and Ghouls...The Greek is back and ready to give you some reviews of some recently viewed Horror Movies...some old...some new.

Let's begin:

The Ruins

Rating: 4.5 Hatchets

Acting: Pretty damned good. Very believable and not forced. Terror is convincing.

Kill Scenes: While not overly violent, they are certified skin crawlers...and shocking.

Plot: Excellent and insightful (If you love HP Lovecraft, you'll love this)

Plot Turn: It's quick, shocking, and early in the film.

Recommendation: Highly recommended. Totally believable plot. Solid acting. No holes in the story.

Sequel: While unlikely...the ending does leave a small opening...but to me...the ending made the movie even more terrifying.

Catch Phrase: Not any particular line...but insert a cell phone ringing...and once you see the movie...it will stick with you.

Four friends spending time in Mexico on vacation decide to go to a Mayan Pyramid to join a German tourist they have just met and meet up with his archeologist brother. The ruins are off the beaten path, and not part of the normal tourist sites. Their first sign of trouble ahead is the fact that, before offering him almost a full months income ($20 American), the "taxi" driver states in plain English "You don't want to go there. Place is very bad." The next sign is the path to the ruins has been concealed, even though the German's brother and partner had been past their days before. As the group reaches the ruins, they notice the perimeter of the pyramid is void of plant life in about a 50 yard radius. As they approach the ruins, the Mayan locals show up...and the terror begins. A great movie, especially for fans of HP Lovecraft, Robert Bloch, and August Dereleth.

Red Hook

Rating: (-1) Hatchet

Acting: Ummm...yeah

Kill Scenes: They were okay...but the rest of the movie sucked so bad...it made no difference.

Plot: It tried...but failed early and often.

Plot Turn: You saw it coming if you didn't fall asleep from boredom or gouged out your eyes...

Recommendation: Avoid this "movie" at all costs...

Sequel: Fuck I hope not! But...the ending was welcomed and not left open.

Catch Phrases: "It's An-GEL-ah...not Angela!"

This broad watches her sister get killed by a serial killer. She views it from her bedroom while both her sister and the killer meet their demise on the lawn. The killer gets gunned down by the police. Flash forward...the braod is in college as a freshman and totally damaged goods. She meets a boy. She falls for him. He comes up missing. Scavenger hunt begins without him. Hot chick gets naked. Kids get killed. Killer is missing boyfriend. He gets shot by same cop that killed first serial killer. There...I saved you the pain. This movie sucks Twilight Vampire cock.

Identity

Rating 4.5 Hatchets

Acting: Pretty awesome...Amanda, Ray, and John do a fantastic job.

Kill Scenes: Fantastic...also...unexpected gore...which made this a highly rated movie for me.

Plot: Pretty original. Going to be vague...don't want to ruin it for you if you haven't seen it yet.

Plot Turn: Just when you have it figured out...it mind fucks you.

Recommendation: Highly. It's hard to get me to swoon over a mainstream movie...but this one is all that friends.

Sequel: Not really. It could not be in the same mold as the original because of the plot twist. You'll see when you watch it. YOU MUST SEE IT!

Catch Phrase "Whores don't deserve second chances!"

7 individuals come together at a motel in Nevada, trapped in a rainstorm, drawn together but sets of weird circumstances, horrific accidents, and really bad luck. One is a cop and his prisoner transfer...a cold blooded killer...and wouldn't you know it...he escapes. One by one, people start dying...and just when your hyper-intelligent horror movie connoisseur mind is sure that you have it all figured out...it stomps on your pride and gives you that "Holy Shit! That was freakin' genius!" moment. That's all I am saying...just in case you haven't seen it...I would not want to ruin one of the most original slasher flicks in quite some time.

The Signal

Rating: 2¾ Hatchets

Acting: Solid. Very entertaining at times.

Kill Scenes: Pretty Awesome!! Nice and violent...gory.

Plot: Pretty simple...given to you abstractly...makes you wonder if you are crazy.

Plot Turn: None...really. Kind of straight forward...nothing hits you from left field.

Recommendation: It's not for everyone. There's a good 30 minutes of the film that had me laughing. It's not the greatest horror flick ever...but worth watching once.

Sequel: Nope.

Catch Phrases: "Do you have the crazy?"

This chick is cheating on her husband. She falls asleep at her boyfriends. The tv wakes him up with a strange picture and sound (signal). She wakes up, figures out an excuse, and tries to call her husband. Surprise! Phones are no good...all you hear is the signal that is on the tv. She jumps in her car and the car radio is playing the signal. She gets home...where her husband and two friends are trying to get the game on. The signal has interrupted their game...and made her husband a little whacko. As a matter of fact...The signal makes everyone whacko...and they rationally start killing people...well rationally in their minds. It just gets crazier from there as the broad tries to get back to her boyfriend...in a city full of murderers...with her whacked out husband chasing them both down. Don't go out of your way to see it...but if you have nothing to do...on a rainy day...or a sick day from work...turn it on.

Berlin Undead

Rating: (-1) Hatchet

Acting: Horrible...even for a foreign zombie flick

Kill Scenes: Meh...nothing that made it worth sitting through this weak version of the 28 Days franchise.

Plot: Weak...28 Days meets terrible German screenwriting.

Plot Turn: Honestly...if there was one...I was so bored I missed it.

Recommendation: Pass on this one...unless you absolutely enjoy 28 Days Later poorly re-enacted.

Catch Phrase: None

This film is garbage...I cannot even pretend to like it. I have basically told you the plot...and I can't think of any better way to describe it than calling it a very weak version of 28 Days Later. Avoid this flick at all costs.

Now...there are some potentially GREAT movies coming out

Grave Encounters...if you watch Ghost Adventures on the Travel Chanel...this looks like a parody...but the trailers...they look scary as hell!

Sid Haig stars in Creature...looks worth a shot....

And one I am really excited about...Madison County

See you all soon...

The 2011 State of College Football Address

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:06:00 GMT

The Greek gets serious for a moment and gives his perspective on the State of College Football.

The Greek's Ghastly Celluloid Selections

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:59:00 GMT

Being a horror movie junkie, and with ticket prices being outrageous to go see the crap the put out these days....the Greek uses his "connections" to preview movies before you pay to see them or rent them.

The Casey Anthony Murder Trial: Thoughts Through Day 8

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:09:00 GMT

This guy ain't got shiza on Casey Anthony.

When I heard that the State was half way through with their witness list and that the trial may be over sooner than the first thought 6-8 weeks, one might have to score that a small victory for the defense...SO FAR.

Honestly...what has the State proven so far...that we already did not know...about Casey Anthony?

The State has proven that Casey Anthony can lie her ass off...but she's pretty shitty at it. Either that, or very stupid. Either way, with as bad as she lies and even if all the State has is circumstantial evidence...they may win the murder 1 conviction, but they will not get the Death Penalty.

So far.

They've painted a pretty good picture of Casey to help prove their case. Lie upon lie upon lie...the jail house visitation tapes were epic, especially once you consider the defense's angle that little Caylee drowned in the swimming pool on June 15th 2008...and George helped cover it up. The defense claims "Casey's such a good liar that at 13 she would have her father's penis in her mouth the night before and go to school the next morning like nothing ever happened." (Don't get pissed at me...this was actually in the defense's opening statements.

On one of the tapes:

George: " I wish I could have been a better father to you...better grandfather to Caylee"

Casey: "You've been an excellent father, and Caylee is lucky to have a grandfather as good as you. Don't even put yourself there."

Really? A father that doinks his daughter is far from excellent...and having a grandfather that covers up your death by taping you up, putting you in a bag, hiding you for a bit while his daughter rots in jail, and then gives you to some unscrupulous former meter maid to dump you in the woods is NOT very lucky.

But I digress...

The State has proven that Casey has seen more dicks than a urinal, logged more ceiling time than Michelangelo, and slung her cooter all over the Central Florida area.

Still doesn't make her a murderess.

So, the 2nd half of the State's witness list and evidence to be entered in better be some soap opera/Perry Mason/Law and Order quality stuff...because half way through...they still have not established a motive, cause of death, a crime scene, or any of the essentials needed for a Murder 1 conviction.

More to come...

The Casey Anthony Murder Trial: Thoughts on Day 1

Wed, 25 May 2011 04:07:00 GMT

Well, it is finally under way. The 1st Degree Murder Trial of Casey Anthony got off to a explosive start when the defense started their opening statements. (For those of you who don't know anything about this case or who Casey or Caylee Anthony are...here's a link to the entire time-line courtesy of Central Florida New 13).

So we finally found out how Caylee died. Or did we?

The defense claims that Caylee drowned in the family swimming pool, and that dear ol Daddy (George Anthony) helped cover it up. We also hear the defense accuse George of molesting Casey beginning at the age of 8 and that the brother Lee tried to join in on the fun. (If you think I am being insensitive, lighten up...or stop reading. My blog, I don't have to be PC)

The defense painted a pretty believable picture of the Anthony family and its dysfunction. The biggest thing for me was the fact that shortly after Caylee was born, George moved out...or actually, if you want to believe the defense, George was asked to leave because Cindy (Casey's Mom) and Casey were afraid that he would start touching Caylee. The possibility of everything the defense presented could be 100% true. George's behavior during the first 48 hours was odd as well. The first person they call is their "attorney/friend". Then they paint a picture of Roy Kroff...and his connection with George. Now they have to prove it. (They don't even script movies this good any more...)

The problem is, Casey Anthony...her lies (even if rehearsed with George in the cover up)...her behavior...it's hard to find sympathy for her. It's hard to even WANT to believe her...if when faced with the possibility that she was a victim and Caylee's death indeed an accident (even if Casey was negligent...the baby drowning is still an accident.)

The prosecution did not tell us anything we didn't already know. There seems to be a ton of circumstantial evidence that COULD be explained away by the defense, especially with their current strategy. Remember, the prosecution has to prove their case FIRST. If they fail to do so, the defense can ask for the case to be dismissed (which is a common tactic) and the defense will never have to call their first witness.

It is highly doubtful that it goes this way...but hey...look at the OJ Simpson case...whodathunkit?

It will be interesting to hear the testimony of the FBI forensics and the "death ring" on the hair found in the trunk of Casey's car allegedly belonging to Caylee. Honestly...that is the most damning piece of evidence they have...and not that much more.

And again, that only proves that Caylee's body was in that trunk. It does not prove that Casey murdered Caylee.

Anyway...George on the stand was less than thrilling. He acted exactly like I thought he would after the defense dropped their bombshell. He definitely is groomed by the prosecution. If what the defense says is true, George is taking advantage of the prosecution, figuring if Casey fries, then all his secrets and involvement burn with with her. So why not get up there and crank up the generator on the stand?

If he was truly a repentant and wanted to protect his daughter...why not come out and defend your daughter:

"yeah, she's an irresponsible liar, but I love her. She's my kid. She fucked up. She wasn't watching Caylee, she got into the pool and drowned. I panicked. I helped cover it up."

Maybe it's because he doesn't want to come clean on diddling his daughter?

So we end this first journal entry with the score:

Prosecution: 0
Defense: 1