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Empire Records

  • 19951995
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,065
334
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, Robin Tunney, Rory Cochrane, Ethan Embry, and Johnny Whitworth in Empire Records (1995)
Theatrical Trailer from Warner Bros. Pictures
Play trailer2:24
2 Videos
73 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Music

Twenty-four hours in the lives of the young employees at Empire Records when they all grow up and become young adults thanks to each other and the manager. They all face the store joining a ... Read allTwenty-four hours in the lives of the young employees at Empire Records when they all grow up and become young adults thanks to each other and the manager. They all face the store joining a chain store with strict rules.Twenty-four hours in the lives of the young employees at Empire Records when they all grow up and become young adults thanks to each other and the manager. They all face the store joining a chain store with strict rules.

IMDb RATING
6.7/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,065
334
  • Director
    • Allan Moyle
  • Writer
    • Carol Heikkinen
  • Stars
    • Anthony LaPaglia
    • Debi Mazar
    • Maxwell Caulfield
Top credits
  • Director
    • Allan Moyle
  • Writer
    • Carol Heikkinen
  • Stars
    • Anthony LaPaglia
    • Debi Mazar
    • Maxwell Caulfield
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 304User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
    • 30Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos2

    Empire Records
    Trailer 2:24
    Empire Records
    Empire Records
    Trailer 2:22
    Empire Records

    Photos73

    Renée Zellweger in Empire Records (1995)
    Liv Tyler, Anthony LaPaglia, and Johnny Whitworth in Empire Records (1995)
    Coyote Shivers in Empire Records (1995)
    Liv Tyler and Johnny Whitworth in Empire Records (1995)
    James 'Kimo' Wills in Empire Records (1995)
    Ethan Embry in Empire Records (1995)
    Johnny Whitworth in Empire Records (1995)
    Maxwell Caulfield in Empire Records (1995)
    Robin Tunney in Empire Records (1995)
    Brendan Sexton III in Empire Records (1995)
    Liv Tyler and Johnny Whitworth in Empire Records (1995)
    Rory Cochrane in Empire Records (1995)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anthony LaPaglia
    Anthony LaPaglia
    • Joe Reavesas Joe Reaves
    Debi Mazar
    Debi Mazar
    • Janeas Jane
    Maxwell Caulfield
    Maxwell Caulfield
    • Rex Manningas Rex Manning
    Rory Cochrane
    Rory Cochrane
    • Lucasas Lucas
    Johnny Whitworth
    Johnny Whitworth
    • A.J.as A.J.
    Robin Tunney
    Robin Tunney
    • Debraas Debra
    Renée Zellweger
    Renée Zellweger
    • Ginaas Gina
    • (as Renee Zellweger)
    Ethan Embry
    Ethan Embry
    • Markas Mark
    • (as Ethan Randall)
    Coyote Shivers
    Coyote Shivers
    • Berkoas Berko
    Brendan Sexton III
    Brendan Sexton III
    • Warrenas Warren
    • (as Brendan Sexton)
    Liv Tyler
    Liv Tyler
    • Corey Masonas Corey Mason
    James 'Kimo' Wills
    James 'Kimo' Wills
    • Eddieas Eddie
    Ben Bode
    Ben Bode
    • Mitchell Beckas Mitchell Beck
    Gary Bolen
    • Croupieras Croupier
    Kimber Sissons
    • Woman at Craps Tableas Woman at Craps Table
    • (as Kimber Monroe)
    Tony Zaar
    • High Rolleras High Roller
    Patt Noday
    Patt Noday
    • Reporteras Reporter
    Julia Deane
    Julia Deane
    • Kathyas Kathy
    • (as Julia Howard)
    • Director
      • Allan Moyle
    • Writer
      • Carol Heikkinen
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A day in the life of the employees of Empire Records. Except this is a day where everything comes to a head for a number of them facing personal crises - can they pull through together? And more importantly, can they keep their record store independent and not swallowed up by corporate greed? —Anonymous
    • record store
    • atlantic city new jersey
    • promiscuous woman
    • cult film
    • music store
    • 147 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Open 'til Midnight.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Music
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for sexual situations, language and a drug issue
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie was originally filmed as two days, but it was cut and fit into one.
    • Goofs
      AJ removes his shirt during the close-up in-store dancing scene. The long shot shows it back on, and then another close shot shows it off.
    • Quotes

      Warren: Who glued these quarters down?

      A.J.: I did.

      Warren: What the hell for, man?

      A.J.: I don't feel that I need to explain my art to you, Warren.

    • Crazy credits
      Mark & Eddie sitting on the curb in front of the store talking about bands.
    • Alternate versions
      Special Edition DVD contains 16 minutes of deleted footage edited back into the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Modern Movie Soundtracks Guys Love (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Til I Hear It From You
      Performed by Gin Blossoms

      Written by Jesse Valenzuela, Robin Wilson & Marshall Crenshaw

      Courtesy of A&M Records Inc.

    User reviews304

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    I do not regret the things I've done, but those I did not do.
    Empire Records is directed by Allan Moyle and written by Carol Heikkinen. It stars, Anthony LaPaglia, Maxwell Caulfield, Debi Mazar, Johnny Whitworth, Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, Rory Cochrane, Robin Tunney & Ethan Embry. Plot centre's on one day at independent record store Empire Records. With the store under imminent threat of a take over by a corporate chain, this is no ordinary day. For on the day that the store will be visited by a fading pop star, they are forced to confront their personal issues, and maybe, just maybe, learn something about the people they work with.

    The film was a box office failure and was met with mostly negative reviews from the professional critics. Coming as it does from the director of critical/cult darling Pump Up the Volume, many were expecting a better and more hard edged picture than what they got. It also had to compete with certain 80's favourites brought to the cinematic world by John Hughes. While coming fast on the heels of the immensely popular Clerks (94) didn't help its cause either. Was it a case of bad timing? Is the film really just poor? And or, as mooted at the time: a career killer for those involved? Personally I think it's a film that needs revisiting now some 15 odd years after its release. In fact time has actually been kind to it and it now appears to have a good solid cult following. So unless you are judging it against the superior, record shop set, High Fidelity, you may find it's a film that's hard to dislike.

    Some of the complaints against it are fair, with the main one about it not having fully developed characters being as true as day is a day. While calling it one long stitched together music video has some substance when taking it at face value. Yet what is there is worthy of a second glance, they are interesting characters, and their respective hang-ups and pressures are evident enough for us to hang our hats on; even if it's set up to be accompanied by still more hipster indie rock music. There's also been much guff written about the film as regards calling it a teen angst film. Yes it is, but have these reviewers forgotten about the adults in the movie? LaPaglia's store owner, the father figure, trying to remain cool as his charges come under threat. Or Mazar, needing a wake up call from her job/career ignorance; and the big one, the delightful Caulfield (splendid bit of casting) as fading pop singer Rex Manning, imposter? Indeed. It's all relative as to why Empire Records deserves more than a once only viewing. As for the music, it does indeed rock, with each track carefully selected to be at one with the scene it accompanies. My favourite? AC/DC-If You Want Blood, a ball busting track for a vibrant and kicking scene.

    As for it being a career killing movie? The ladies of the piece have done rather well for themselves, Zellweger, Tunney and Tyler have made their marks in the industry, while Mazar has never been without work prior or post Empire Records. The guys haven't hit the heights of Zellweger and Tyler, which in the case of the excellent Rory Cochrane is not only a surprise, but also sad. Cochrane's Lucas is the key character and the glue in the middle of it all, always on hand with a dry quip or some philosophy, he's also supremely cool. Cochrane can be seen in serious mode leading 2006 thriller Right at Your Door. LaPaglia has always worked since 95, playing a number of different supporting characters, and Embry has appeared in big release's such as Vacancy and Eagle Eye. Caulfield has turned into the go to guy for TV shows and Whitworth, who quit acting for a while, pops up from time to time in minor roles such as in 3:10 To Yuma and The Rainmaker. So, not a career killer then.

    Stick it to the Man, Baby, Empire Records is a vibrant and funny movie. 7.5/10
    helpful•24
    8
    • hitchcockthelegend
    • May 2, 2011

    FAQ1

    • What is the first song during the opening credits?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 20, 1995 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Empire
    • Filming locations
      • Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
    • Production companies
      • Monarchy Enterprises B.V.
      • New Regency Productions
      • Regency Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $273,188
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $150,800
      • Sep 24, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $273,188
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1
      • 2.35 : 1

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