Chris here. We here at The Film Experience love celebrating cinematic anniversaries whether in or outside of a narrative, and today is one of my favorites: Rex Manning Day of 90s pop perfection Empire Records! Damn the man, save the Empire!
For the uniniated: April 8th marks the arrival of cheesy fictional 80s icon Rex Manning (Grease 2's Maxwell Caulfield) to the film's titular record store as it struggles to maintain its financial independence. So in that regard, today is for more than just appreciating the cult film, but all our independent outlets that give us our entertainment. And, ok, revisiting the film's crazy good soundtrack.
Despite that soundtrack being one of the most quintessential of the 90s (it's certainly the reason you'll remember Empire if you're not among its fanbase), the film was a bomb in release. However, it remains a light and carefree joy that gives fun actressing: the hippest Liv Tyler, a bald Robin Tunney, and *gasp* our first glimpse at a musical Renee Zellweger nearly a decade before Chicago. It's 90 minutes of pure MTV-era delight.
Are you an Empire Records fan?