Our Staff Picks column takes you back to a time when video stores reigned supreme and the "Staff Picks" section was the place to find out what films were worthy of one's time. Of course, our version of Staff Picks has a decidedly skintillating angle, as we suss out which films from a particular subgenre are the best to find great nudity. This week let's cover one of the absolute BEST years in moviemaking: 1999.
1999 was a year that changed the game for cinema. We were given The Blair Witch Project which gave way to a decade of found footage films and fascinating new marketing ploys. The Matrix had us all trying to bend spoons. Cult classic comedy Office Space had everyone talking about "pieces of flair". Girls were getting interrupted. Rose petals and plastic bags were appearing everywhere. And, finally, the entire world could suddenly see dead people.
Yes, ALL OF THAT and much more happened in 1999.
Here are the Mr. Skin staff picks for the highest highs of 1999.
The Virgin Suicides
Sofia Coppola's debut film knocked it out of the park. So much has already been said about this beautiful film, especially in my recent Female Filmmakers series. There is no nudity in the movie, but Kirsten Dunst is simply glowing in sun-drenched scenes that show her in a bikini in this tragic film about gorgeous sisters in the 70s whose strict parents drove them to do the unthinkable.
American Beauty
I mentioned it already, but it is impossible not to talk about 1999 films without mentioning this movie. A suburban family is explored from every angle: the sullen teen daughter who falls for a moody filmmaker, her popular Lolita-esque friend, her horny dad going through a midlife crisis, and her mom's struggling real estate career.
Does the movie itself actually hold up? I don't know about that...but Mena Suvari's rose petal scene definitely does. The shot of her naked and covered in rose petals is the definition of iconic.
But I'm a Cheerleader
While there is no nudity in But I'm a Cheerleader, this queer comedy classic is definitely worth your time. Natasha Lyonne is a young, hot cheerleader who is confused about her sexuality. This is a far cry from the raspy-voiced Lyonne we are all used to today! She is sweet and naive in this movie that shows her falling in love with Clea Duvall at a gay conversion camp.
Boys Don't Cry
Speaking of queer films, 1999 gave us the tragic drama Boys Don't Cry which told the true story of Brandon Teena. Hilary Swank brought Brandon to life as a trans man in a rural town. When Brandon's secret is found out, people in town react with violence.
The true story is absolutely horrific and praise is definitely due to both Hillary Swank and Chloe Sevigny for believably telling the story of the lovers at the center of the drama. Their chemistry is definitely undeniable - especially in their famous outdoor sex scene.
Eyes Wide Shut
Stanley Kubrick went above and beyond in this sexy film about a wealthy couple in Manhattan played by then couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Conspiracy, suspicion, and secrets are the name of the game in this film that features a very famous masked orgy scene. This scene had people in the late 90s wondering if they should throw an "Eyes Wide Shut Party" for their birthday that year. What? Just me?
Famously, Nicole Kidman was nude in front of a mirror as she got dressed, showing off her surprisingly ample rear to the camera. This redhead definitely had it going on!
The first rule of Fight Club? We don't talk about Fight Club, but we DO talk about Helena Bonham Carter. She does have one nude scene in the movie based on the book that had everyone quoting Tyler Durden.
This film is about a man played by Edward Norton who joins a fight club and becomes obsessed with the destructive Tyler Durden played by Brad Pitt stars the always mysterious and sexy Helena who manages to show her hooters.
Cruel Intentions
Put all of the hottest actors in one movie in 1999 and you have Cruel Intentions. This is a strange movie! It was adapted from a 1782 French novel and changed to be about wealthy New York City teens who seek to prey upon their headmaster's daughter in order to see if they can make her lose her virginity.
Reese Witherspoon stars, but she's not the one who was titillating audiences. That honor goes to Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair who do "kissing lessons" on one another. Okay, that's hot.
Varsity Blues
Football and sex is the name of the game in Varsity Blues. Tonie Perensky turned heads as the teacher who has to do a strip scene to her students who happen to be in the crowd. They find out that Miss Davis has been moonlighting as a stripper. Hey, someone has to pay for those school supplies.
And then there was Ali Larter with her sweet whipped cream hooters. Chris Evans ended up parodying this in Not Another Teen Movie which launched his career. So, yeah, Varsity Blues was influential!
American Pie
We have to end on American Pie. It was the jaw-dropping comedy that reignited the teen sex comedy genre and elevated it. From banging hot pies to telling stories about band camp, this hilarious comedy was both filthy and funny. That's our favorite kind here at Mr. Skin! Shannon Elizabeth gave us a webcam scene to remember:
