When making your own selections, start out by perusing a list of nominees. Just click on any of 'em to learn about past Oscar history and other neat little facts. For a longer, albeit very subjective, list that includes many of 1999's best offerings and one that likens watching films to taking drugs, read movie buff Harry Knowles's picks. Yes, you'll have to deal with his questionable inclusion in the top 30 of the universally panned Snow Falling on Cedars (just sneaking in at #30, of course1x), but it's still worth the trip as a reminder of some good films that won't be shaking hands with Oscar on the 26^th.

Now, I may be in the minority on this one, but I'm pretty bummed that Italian fireplug Roberto Benigni won't be handed any trophies this time around. I'd much rather hear him prattle on entertainingly than listen to the dude from Price Waterhouse brag about guarding the envelopes. So when you refresh your memory of last year's winners -- yes, Shakespeare in Love DID edge out Saving Private Ryan, and deservedly so1x -- don't forget to read full transcripts of Benigni's roller-coaster acceptance speeches. Both of them (Best Actor, Best Foreign Language Film). Feel the "hailstorm of kindness1x"

The Web makes it simple to look up anything you'd like to know about the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' illustrious past. Oscar.com offers tidbits of knowledge dating all the way back to the first ceremony in 1929, before there even was an "Oscar." Who knows, you might be able to scam your pals with some newfound wisdom: "Hey Joey, I can't remember who was Best Actress in '34 . . . I think it may have been Claudette Colbert . . . wanna bet?" This excellent archive includes, among other juicy features, previous victors by category and posters from the award-winners of yore.

If the top honor is what turns you on the most, Mr. Showbiz has laid out a handy list of Best Pictures (originally called "Best Production"). Just click on each year to go to a detailed page that includes a snappy behind-the-scenes account of that particular ceremony. And come on, acknowledge cinema's unsung heroes by brushing up on the unglamorous but vital scientific and technical categories. . . if you do, I'll give you some popcorn1x

At Oscar time or anytime, bear in mind that Movieline magazine has compiled its own list of "The 100 Best Movies Ever Made" (in English), along with the overseas counterpart "100 Greatest Foreign Films." Both rosters serve up enough inspiration for dozens of trips to the video store -- no need to rent Basic Instinct yet again when all the new releases are checked out.

As I've said, choosing the film of the year for '99 is going to be tough -- The Cider House Rules, The Insider, American Beauty, The Sixth Sense, and even The Green Mile are all pretty good. But who had the time to see them all? Not to mention that as attention spans get shorter, movies just get longer (two Best Picture candidates clock in at almost three hours). So lastly, for today's quick-fix generation, those who can't sit still in a darkened theatre, cell-free, for more than 15 minutes, here's the year's real contest: the race for Best Trailer. "And the miniature envelope please. . ."

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