If you’re not feeling the cheer this year, or having started watching your favourite Christmas films in October, are sick of them then don’t despair because I am about to offer and alternative movie to fill your winter evenings.
This month’s old school movie is ‘Empire Records’ which was released smack bang in the middle of the nineties and contains some familiar faces. A young Liv Tyler, minus the horse and elf ears, and playing her best friend, Renee Zellweger feature in the film.
But besides a star studded cast ‘Empire Records’ has a lot to offer. The title of the film shares itself with the name of the record store where Tyler and Zellweger work alongside their colleagues and friends Lucas, A.J, Debra and Mark. Each of them has their own troubles which they in turn face and defeat with the help of their friends, their music and especially their boss Joe.
And when Joe has to front his own problems his staff are right their supporting him in the only way they know how: through music.
The soundtrack to this movie is quite simply awesome. As its set in a music store music features heavily throughout the film spotlighting artists like The Cranberries, the Dire Straits, Edwyn Collins and a final number performed and written by Coyote Shivers. Even if these names have flown straight over your head never fear, the songs are catchy, jumpy and for some may be love at first listen.
So if you’re looking for a film that isn’t coated with morals about family love and doesn’t feature scenes of excessive Christmas spirit, then why not broaden your horizons and dip into the 90’s with this gem of a film. I guarantee you’ll want a job at Empire Records when you’re done.
By Katherine Cudmore
