Empire Records is as dated as it sounds. Record stores use to be the hippest hang out spot for young people. Although they’re a thing of the past, Empire Records has managed to stay relevant all these years. Even though it got harsh reviews and bombed hard at the box-office. Although Empire Records released the same day as Se7en and Showgirls, $303,841 is suspiciously low for a $10 million movie. I guess it was just too niche for casual audiences. The soundtrack is a major draw, but the songs are very Indie.
Empire Records also launched the careers of several popular actors. Even though I was mostly familiar with Renée Zellweger and Liv Tyler. Empire Records takes place primarily in one day with teenage characters dancing together and having angst filled meltdowns. It’s basically a 90’s Breakfast Club. Anthony LaPaglia is the hip store manager Joe facing a possible buyout from a major chain. The teen employees do everything they can to fight the man. Rory Cochrane plays the philosophical Lucas who blows all of Joe’s money in an attempt to save the store.
Tyler stands out as the desirable good girl Corey and so does Zellweger as her promiscuous best friend Gina. Robin Tunney had to shave her head as the equally interesting suicidal outcast Deb. Johnny Whitworth is artist A.J. who’s in love with Corey and Ethan Randall’s Mark is just trying to have fun. Most events are random with an overeager shoplifter and the meme generating Rex Manning Day. The teen drama feels like Saved by the Bell, but their chemistry is infectious. Empire Records is a decent place to hang out for 90 minutes.
Empire Records employees
Master Mix Movies 
I know I’ve heard of the title, I just never knew what the film was about. The local youth’s doing their best and hardest to save their beloved hangout is a good universal story to use. So that’s where Renee Zellweger and Liv Tyler got there starts, very cool. There was a Music store 3 blocks up from my house when I still lived in Philly and I was always going there and chatting it up with the owner. He always got me great deals on DVDs and Blu Rays. He’s still there too.
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Sometimes a story like that is enough. I wish I had a universal hang out spot.
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I must say I thoroughly enjoyed Empire Records.
Of course I watched it in the 1990s just as record stores were starting to fade away from their previous glory.
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I was 3 months old at the time of its release. So I kind of missed record stores in their glory days.
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