Empire Records

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Empire Records

PG-13

1995

1h 40m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

83%

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100,000+ Ratings

Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store's money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues.

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Critics Consensus

Despite a terrific soundtrack and a strong early performance from Renee Zellweger, Empire Records is mostly a silly and predictable teen dramedy.

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David Kronke

Los Angeles Times

03/29/2019

The biggest audience laugh at a recent showing came when a guy deadpanned, "This movie speaks for our generation." The sun can't set too soon on this Empire.

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Mark Caro

Chicago Tribune

03/29/2019

1.5/4

If Clerks were written by TV hacks, it might feel something like this.

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Ryan Gilbey

Independent (UK)

03/29/2019

It was never on the cards that Allan Moyle, the director of Pump Up the Volume, would deliver an authentic study of modern youth with his new film Empire Records. But the picture is barely even set on this planet, let alone in this era.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

12/04/2024

2.5/4

...a mostly watchable comedy that never quite becomes as engaging (or memorable) as one might’ve hoped...

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

09/17/2024

6/10

The film is a story of independent spirits battling a soulless corporation, produced without any apparent self-awareness by Regency Enterprises for Warner Bros; a soulless corporation.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

09/01/2022

B+

An anecdotal comedy like this lives or dies on the charisma of its ensemble, and this is a decidedly fun group to spend 90 minutes with.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown 2d

90s teen drama that didn't age well - not because its set in a record store, but because it relies on a flimsy script. Music was pretty solid...

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Natasha R

@MsNatasha Feb 21

This movie was exactly how I remember living in the 90's - the idea of being a "sell out" was the worst, tangible music was your only option, and finding a fun cd at the record store was a cool brag. This movie was cheesy, campy, and grunge.

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Chris M

@RT41034743 Feb 5

First rewatch since being a teenager, 90 minutes of reliving your youth!!

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Daniel B

@DanielBR Feb 1

"Empire Records" es de esas películas que no se pueden explicar; son un sentimiento que solo se entiende viviéndolas. Ni la trama ni los personajes poseen un desarrollo convencional o un subtexto sobresaliente, pero la humanidad con la que retrata lo caótico, el sinsentido y la explosión de emociones de ser joven te termina llegando al alma, e incluso sacándote una lágrima. La cinta rebosa estilo y personalidad: es la definición de los años 90 en toda su extensión. No creo que exista una película que grite más rebeldía, pero lo hace con mensajes vitales: ser auténticos, abrirnos con quienes nos importan, valorar la amistad y no tener miedo a equivocarse o a ser diferentes. A pesar de su extravagancia, la historia te incita, como ninguna otra, a ser la mejor versión de ti mismo. La banda sonora es brutal; cada canción es más sensacional que la anterior, convirtiéndose en una de mis bandas favoritas de una película.

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Brigid P

@Brigideliz Jan 31

Damn the man, save the Empire. No notes.

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Sara-Maree P

@Sarasaurus Dec 8

Forget all the bad reviews, this is my new comfort movie!! If you want a movie with an amazing plot maybe this isn't for you, however this movie is one of them feel good movies with no crazy plot and its strangely nostalgic for me ( 15 ) and the sound track is amazing. I miss when people made unique and relatable movies like this. it's so colorful and authentic. I definitely recommend watching especially as a teenager as its more relatable to us! empire records actually altered my brain a little bit in a good way😜 I wish teens were as cool now as they were then man✌️

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Allan Moyle

Director

Anthony LaPaglia

Joe Reaves

Rory Cochrane

Lucas

Johnny Whitworth

A.J.

Liv Tyler

Corey Mason

Renée Zellweger

Gina

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79%

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Synopsis

Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store's money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues.

Director: Allan Moyle
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Michael G. Nathanson, Alan Riche, Tony Ludwig
Screenwriter: Carol Heikkinen
Production Co: Regency Enterprises
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

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