The music-store comedy Empire Records is one of the most memorable (and quotable) movies of the '90s. The cult classic starred a lot of young actors who went on to star in blockbusters and TV shows, but have you kept up with all the employees of the store? Click through to find out what all the actors are doing now, what they look like, and — just for fun — what their characters might be up to now, almost 20 years later.
For today's buzz lines challenge, I chose a '90s classic: Empire Records. The one-day-long comedy set in a record store features an ensemble of then-unknowns like Renée Zellweger, and it's one of my absolute most favorite movies of all time. I had tough time just deciding which quotes to sample. So if you feel the same way about the movie, let's nerd out right now! Tell me your favorite lines from Empire Records.
Every other Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. The reader who submits the best cast wins a BuzzSugar t-shirt!
I'm glad to see everyone shared in my enthusiasm for one of my favorite movies out of the '90s, Empire Records! These are really fun characters to recast and I'm sure young actors in Hollywood would die for a part in a movie like this.
I liked that both daisydidi and lookwhatimade suggested Mandy Moore for the character Liv Tyler played, Corey. Mandy is someone I could see in an independent record store, yet she gives off a "once I'm done here I'm off to the Ivy league" vibe.
I was also totally thrilled to see Olivia Thirlby's name pop up many times; I think she'd be right at home in a movie like this.
For the boys, I liked Whip's idea for Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play A.J. (he's another one of those actors whose name makes me smile), and my friend Citizen's pick for A.J., Michael Rady (a.k.a. the cutie from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and now Swingtown), is great too.
In the end, I went with the cast that's hard to argue with: Congrats to Mary_Sofi!
To see who she chose, along with a new cast photo, read more
Every other Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. The reader who submits the best cast wins a BuzzSugar t-shirt!
This week I was totally inspired by the American Teen soundtrack and chose for this week's recast challenge the movie with a soundtrack that rocked my world as a kid: Empire Records! Though I haven't seen the movie in a few years, I remember being completely envious of Liv Tyler's hair, being in love with Ethan Embry, and vowing to work at a record store and/or own one when I grew up.
But I digress. Let's recast this movie! Who would play the employees of this independently owned record store? There's the smart and leggy Corey (Tyler), cute A.J. (Johnny Whitworth), sexy free spirit Gina (Renée Zellweger), moody Debra (Robin Tunney), cute stoner Mark (Embry) and the quirky kid that tries to save the store, Lucas (Rory Cochrane).
Leave your entry in the comment section below, and I'll pick one winner to feature Tuesday, July 22, complete with a "new" cast photo.
To see a list of characters to recast and a photo of the BuzzSugar t-shirt, read more
Earlier this week I posted a preview for Renee Zellweger's latest project, Miss Potter, and it got me thinking about Zellweger and her career. She seems to be a very hit-or-miss actress, veering between funny and likeable and silly or one-dimensional. While I'll have to see Miss Potter to decide whether she's right for that part, I know for sure that there are some movies in which Zellweger truly shines. Check out my picks for some of her best work, and let me know your thoughts.
Empire Records
Zellweger is young and endearing in this teenage angst-y dramedy about an independent record store in danger of being absorbed by a large chain. The motley crew of misfits who work at the store must think of ways to raise enough money for Empire Records to remain independent. Zellweger gives a spot-on performance as the promiscuous Gina, contrasting hilariously with the sweet, lovestruck Corey (played by a nubile Liv Tyler). Best part: Gina and Corey's fabulously screechy teen girl fight.
To see the other two movies, so read more
