With nine months of 1999 down, we can safely say that 1999 has been a great year for entertainment. With the majority of TV premieres and major CD releases out, all we must do is await the Oscar buzz for the Winter films. But don't wait long friends, it's already begun with American Beauty (one word, spectacular):

Eyes Wide Shut

Stanley Kubrick's psychosexual date movie, with Nicole Kidman giving a wonderful performance as the lustful, sexually-frustrated Alice.

Beth Orton, "Stolen Car"

The sweet sound of pity and envy from one of Britain's premiere musicians, set to Ben Harper's roaring guitar. Perfect for driving with the windows down on a cool afternoon.

Wild Wild West tanks.

A reported $120 million project with box office intakes of $110 million. Not even a Will Smith anthem could save this bomb.

Nine Inch Nails,--The Fragile

Finally

The Blair Witch Project

Raking in more than 100 times it's budget, the psychological thriller will be on video in time for Halloween. Note to Jan DeBont: Blair Witch is everything The Haunting wasn't: Good.

South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut

An Oscar-caliber score, the strongest anti-censorship message in recent history. And, yes, I too blame Canada.

Election

A high-school movie portraying teens as what they are: manipulative, smart, and driven. With a cunning, scene-styling performance from Reese Witherspoon. Forget Cruel Intentions, Reese as Tracy Flick--a shameless, Student Government President-wannabe--is the real deal.

"The Family Guy"

Obscure 70's references, something to offend everyone, and Stewie--that adorable British-accented toddler hell-bent on world domination. Stewie after his mother sits a plate of steamed broccoli before him: "It's better than sex!"

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

If any film could kick Star Wars out of Number One, it had to be this one. Better than the original with Heather Graham's rising star as Felicity Shagwell, "Shagwell by name, shag VERY well by reputation."

Macy Gray-

...On How Life Is Hip-hop, R&B, Jazz, Pop, Hope, Life, Death, Longing. Finally, someone talented enough to deserve Billie Holiday comparisons.

Cibo Matto

Cibo Matto-StereoType A

What's up, B? Wasubi. As innovative as the Beastie Boys, there are fewer food references and less rapping in French and Italian than in their awesome debut Viva! La Woman, but no one can do it like Miho and Yuka can.

Tori Amos--To Venus and Back

Bold, original, and individual. Thank God she returned to remind us there is a sexier, smarter, more talented alternative to Lolitas like Britney and Christina.

Run Lola Run

Sliding Doors on acid, cooler and trippier than Trainspotting. The best German export since Katarina Witt.

Tori Spelling in Trick:

No, it's not a misprint. Aaron's little girl delivers a delicious, hilarious, scene-stealing performance. If there is a God, he'll deliver Oscar nods to Tori and Reese Witherspoon (in Election, of course).

"The Boondocks"

A contemporary look at racial differences that makes you laugh until it's hurts. The anti-Family Circus, it's real and hilarious.

Elliot Smith, Rufus Wainwright, and Les Nubians:

The best kept secrets of 1998. Three obscure artists that will never be accepted by the mainstream: a coffeehouse performer with a beautiful voice; a self-declared "opera-queen" tickling the ivories and doing Gap ads; and two French Erykah Badus.

Jay-Z

Jigga Who? Jigga What?!!!?

American Pie

Yes, it was Porky's in 98, but you laughed too. With Allyson Hannigan (as band nerd Michelle) delivering a soon to be classic 90's film line. Better than "Show me the money" or "Do I make you horny, baby?", it springs out of nowhere: "One time, at band camp, I stuck my flute in my..."

by Rob Peery