The (O)PP Cinematic Alphabet Draft

Hey everybody, The Mike is here to deliver some cinematic thunder on this Sunday of Justice!

A recent craze throughout the film related blogosphere is the Cinematic Alphabet, made currently popular over at Rupert Pupkin Speaks and spreading throughout the web to sites like my own From Midnight, With Love. Here at (O)PP, we find that the tastes of myself, Narcosleepy, and The H-Bomb don't always match up, so we decided to do our site's Cinematic Alphabet a little differently. As you can guess from the title, we did a fantasy sports-style draft of films per letter.

The rules were pretty simple. The draft order would be randomly determined, and the three of us would take turns picking a letter and the corresponding film we wanted on the list. Oh, and we decided (about half-way through the draft) to add in films that start with a number, so the picks were evenly divided between us. Easy enough, right? Let's see how it turned out....

With the 1st pick in the draft, The Mike determined that R is for REAR WINDOW

As we discussed this project, the example I kept using was "So like, if I had R, I'd say R is for REAR WINDOW." Since I used the example like three dozen times - and since it's my favorite movie - I figured there was no better place to start. - The Mike

With the 2nd pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decreed that T is for TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE

There are certain movies that pretty much change the world. For Narcosleepy, Optimus Prime is synonymous with all that is awesome. To say that the letter "T" is for Transformers is pretty much like saying a dog has four legs and barks. "R" is definitely for Rear Window, but Optimus Prime punches Deceptichops in the face.
-Narcosleepy

With the 3rd pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that P is for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

To say I love this movie is an understatement. To me, Pride and Prejudice is the greatest love story of all time. The casting in this version is perfect and I never get sick of watching it.- The H-Bomb

(Note from The Mike: Gosh, from those last two picks, you'd so never guess where we got our blog name....)

With the 4th pick in the draft, The Mike said H is for HALLOWEEN

I know Narcosleepy is a big fan of Highlander, and - as much as I agree that there can be only one - I couldn't risk not getting my favorite horror movie on the list. - The Mike

First of..."H" should be for Highlander. However, Halloween is a really solid choice and I can't disagree. I mean, how can you argue with Michael Myers? -Narcosleepy

With the 5th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy announced that C is for CITY OF GOD

I flat out love this movie. The flavor, the feel, and the rhythm are so fantastic. I was going to choose "A" for American Beauty. But on this night, I took City of God above American Beauty.
-Narcosleepy

With the 6th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb proclaimed that L is for LOVE ACTUALLY

Barely slipping ahead of Pride and Prejudice, I consider this my favorite movie of all time. Romance, comedy, British, and Hugh Grant dancing make for the perfect combination for a perfect movie!
- The H-Bomb

With the 7th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that A is for ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

The three of us actually watched this flick right after completing the draft. I'm not sure Narcosleepy and The H-Bomb were ready for its brand of humor, but I drink it up like Daniel Day-Lewis on your milkshake. (Which, coincidentally, does NOT bring all the boys to the yard. Just DDL and that kid who was the killer at the beginning of TAKING LIVES.) - The Mike

With the 8th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that V is for VERTIGO

There are certain movies that hold a special place in my heart. Rear Window and Vertigo are two of these films. James Stewart and Kim Novak provide a performance that defines modern cinema. This is a top 10 film...no brainer.
- Narcosleepy

With the 9th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that S is for SABRINA

Knowing the other two where going to pick S soon if I did not, I dove after it. There were lots of S movies I could have picked (Spaceballs anyone!?), but I knew in my heart Sabrina was it. Hepburn and Boggart can do no wrong. Despite their big age difference, they really worked on screen. - The H-Bomb

With the 10th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that B is for THE BLUES BROTHERS

As much as it pains me to leave The 'Burbs on the wayside - and I know H-Bomb would have picked it had I let B ride a few more rounds - Jake and Elwood know the way to my heart. I'm so in on their mission from God. - The Mike

With the 11th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that N is for NORTH BY NORTHWEST

How can you not love the first ever action film? The cinematography in this film is truly amazing.
-Narcosleepy

With the 12th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that G is for THE GOONIES

In my opinion, this is one of the greatest films of all time. This movie was a large part of my childhood. During the summer of 1999 during a family vacation to Oregon, we included a stop in Astoria, Oregon where the movie was filmed. There is no way I was going to let this list get created without Goonies on it! -The H-Bomb

Couldn't agree more H-Bomb! It all ends when you go up Troy's Bucket! -Narcosleepy

With the 13th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that E is for THE EXORCIST

Since I had The Exorcist at #2 on my big board of horror - and since I am primarily one who writes about horror flicks - I figured I better throw it on as soon as I could. Nothing like a little pea soup in the middle of the alphabet, right? - The Mike

With the 14th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that # is for 28 DAYS LATER...

First off, suck it H-Bomb. 13 Going on 30 could not be the number that was selected. I straight up love this movie. This is one of my favorite zombie movies that I have ever seen in theaters.
- Narcosleepy

With the 15th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that D is for DEATH AT A FUNERAL

It is British, hilarious, and stars Matthew MacFayden (aka Mr. Darcy). Need I say more! -The H-Bomb

With the 16th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that F is for FLASH GORDON

No chance I was gonna let this list end without getting one of my favorite pieces of cheese on the list, and Flash Gordon represents everything I love about cheesy sci-fi of the '70s and '80s. (Also, he's gotta be the best quarterback the New York Jets ever had. EVER.) - The Mike

Best selection for "F" I could think of. "Flash Gordon. Quarterback. New York Jets." -Narcosleepy

With the 17th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that M is for THE MATRIX

"Follow the white rabbit Neo." I remember where I was when I first saw this movie. I can remember the first time I listened to it with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. This movie is one of my all time favorite sci-fi flicks. I was going to choose Mulholland Drive, but I couldn't escape the brilliant acting of Keanu Reeves. "Whoa"
-Narcosleepy

With the 18th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that W is for THE WIZARD OF OZ

A movie list should never be complete without this film. Visually stunning and a marvelous soundtrack, it is a movie for all ages. It is a movie I need to see at least once a year or I go through withdrawal. -The H-Bomb

With the 19th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that Y is for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

If this were something like the NFL Draft, there'd be a guy with greasy hair to tell you that this is a great "value pick". I had been prepared to take M and promote MIDNIGHT RUN, but after it was off the board I couldn't resist getting one of my five favorite films this late in the proceedings. - The Mike

With the 20th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that J is for THE JEWEL OF THE NILE

Romancing the Stone is simply awesome. However, I actually saw this movie first and I have a soft spot in my random liking of movies. It isn't very good, but man I love dumb movies that are just fun. Juno Schmoono...I thought that movie was forgettable. Journey to the Center of the Earth in '89 was also going through my head, but you gotta draft what you love.
- Narcosleepy

With the 21st pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that Q is for THE QUEEN

Another British film that definitely did not disappoint, it was fascinating to have a look inside the life of Queen Elizabeth. The acting in this film was so superb, I often found myself forgetting this was Helen Mirren, and would actually find myself believing it was Queen Elizabeth herself. - The H-Bomb

Weird...H-Bomb selecting something British. - Narcosleepy

With the 22nd pick in the draft, The Mike decided that O is for OUT OF SIGHT

The combination of Clooney, Soderbergh, Elmore Leonard, a great supporting cast, and a SHOCKINGLY good J-Lo has long held Out of Sight as one of my favorite caper flicks/romance flicks. At this point in the draft, I also kinda thought I should pick something less than 30 years old. - The Mike

With the 23rd pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that I is for IDIOCRACY

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! How can you hate on a movie where, in the end, you feel like a genius? Dax Shepard is awesome. I know, you all are thinking why didn't I select Indiana Jones? I think the above picture answers that question.
- Narcosleepy

With the 24th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that U is for UP IN THE AIR

With a great cast, including Mr. Clooney himself, it was a witty and charming film. With so many unoriginal films these days, it was refreshing to see some originality. -The H-Bomb

With the 25th pick in the draft, The Mike decided that Z is for ZODIAC

It was a toss-up between this and using K on KISS KISS, BANG BANG for my final pick, but David Fincher's murder epic is kind of like Vertigo in how it keeps me entranced despite its slow pace. And I still get a dose of Downey. - The Mike

With the 26th pick in the draft, Narcosleepy decided that X is for XXX

"Hi, my name is Vin Diesel. I'm awesome." If you just read that quote...your mind is blown. This movie has A) Samuel Freaking L. Jackson, B) Flippin' Danny Trejo, and C) Vin Diesel as an extreme sports athlete. I consider this pick a value pick...that and I couldn't think of anything else for X.
- Narcosleepy

With the 27th pick in the draft, The H-Bomb decided that K is for THE KING'S SPEECH

So I have to admit I have not actually seen this flick yet! But it is British and stars Colin Firth. I don't even have to see it to know I like. And don't worry, I will be buying it when it hits the shelves! - The H-Bomb

So, after the dust settled and tempers faded, the final list looks like THIS:
A is for ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
B is for THE BLUES BROTHERS
C is for CITY OF GOD
D is for DEATH AT A FUNERAL
E is for THE EXORCIST
F is for FLASH GORDON
G is for THE GOONIES
H is for HALLOWEEN
I is for IDIOCRACY
J is for THE JEWEL OF THE NILE
K is for THE KING'S SPEECH
L is for LOVE ACTUALLY
M is for THE MATRIX
N is for NORTH BY NORTHWEST
O is for OUT OF SIGHT
P is for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Q is for THE QUEEN
R is for REAR WINDOW
S is for SABRINA
T is for TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE
U is for UP IN THE AIR
V is for VERTIGO
W is for THE WIZARD OF OZ
X is for XXX
Y is for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Z is for ZODIAC
# is for 28 DAYS LATER...

And that's the bottom line, because the (O)PP staff said so. Consider your minds' blown...Boom!