Get ready to "Damn the man! Save the Empire!" because this week on Shoot The Hostage, Dan and Sarah are diving deep into the gloriously messy, utterly 90s, and undeniably flopped cinematic experience that is Empire Records (1995).
It’s not quite Rex Manning Day just yet, depending on when you're listening, but we're close enough to celebrate this box-office flop that holds a special, possibly embarrassing, place in at least one of our hearts.
Join us as we try to figure out why this e...
Get ready to "Damn the man! Save the Empire!" because this week on Shoot The Hostage, Dan and Sarah are diving deep into the gloriously messy, utterly 90s, and undeniably flopped cinematic experience that is Empire Records (1995).
It’s not quite Rex Manning Day just yet, depending on when you're listening, but we're close enough to celebrate this box-office flop that holds a special, possibly embarrassing, place in at least one of our hearts.
Join us as we try to figure out why this ensemble piece, directed by Allan Moyle and written by Carol Heikkinen, starring a fresh-faced bunch including Liv Tyler, Renèe Zellweger, Robin Tunney, Ethan Embry... and even a fleeting credit for a certain Tobey Maguire (who may or may not have been lost to the 90s haze on set) failed to ignite the box-office despite its killer soundtrack.
Expect the usual blend of questionable observations and sarcastic commentary as we dissect this quintessential movie released in the 90s. We also ponder:
- Questionable romantic gestures involving feet
- Sarah's nostalgic love for this film and Dan's slow but steady descent into not-quite-hate
- Our general bewilderment at the sheer volume of music crammed into 90-odd minutes
- Comparisons to the Breakfast Club (which we covered – check it out)
- And why this might have flopped at the box-office
If you're a fan of hangout movies in the vein of Richard Linklater's character-driven narratives or the retail-centric vibes of early Kevin Smith flicks, you might find something to love (or at least tolerate) in Empire Records.
So, tune in for spoilers aplenty, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into a film that may have flopped at the box office but definitely left a lasting impression (on some of us, anyway). You might even find yourself wanting to celebrate Rex Manning Day after listening… or maybe not. You’ve been warned!
Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time
Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.
If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024.
Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.
If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.
Or come find us on social media:
Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube
View more
