it's like the bell's about to ring and everybody's trying to get their good thing in before the century ends. >> you had this really interesting combination of young filmmakers swinging for the fences and showing people what they could do as well as more established figures like michael mann with the insider just kind of finding a new gear. >> i have to put my family's welfare on the line, my friend. what are you putting up? you're putting up words. >> i've been giving my word and backing it up with action. >> i'd stack '99 up against any year in terms of american filmmakers. >> hey, mr. mcalester. >> not waiting any time, are you, tracy? >> you know what they say about the early bird. >> yeah, i do. >> "election" is the second movie of alexander payne. it's about this high school student council election in omaha. reese witherspoon's tracy flick, she is someone you almost want