3D's Need to See: 90's Teen Cult Classics Edition

My movie recommendations for you this week are two cult teen classics  from the middle 90′s that are known as much for their music as their plots:  1995′s ”Empire Records” and 1993′s “Dazed and Confused.”  Both featured fabulous casts, great soundtracks, and endlessly quotable dialogue. 

“Empire Records” is the story of an independent record store and its eccentric employees attempt to save it from being taken over by a chain.  However, the plot of the movie hardly matters because it is just an excuse for strange situations, snappy dialogue and great songs.  The cast of the movie is truly amazing.  It featured future big time movie stars Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger (singing on screen for the first time, years before “Chicago”).  It also included future CBS stars Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a Trace”), Robin Tunney (“The Mentalist”), and the common link between the two films this week, Rory Cochrane (“CSI: Miami”).  

I have always really enjoyed the movie itself, but in the pop culture world the movie has often been underrated in favor of the soundtrack.  It featured hits by such nineties bands as The Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Cranberries, and Sponge.  In addition, the movie features songs by such greats as AC/DC and Dire Straits (not to mention a Gwar video).  It is important to note that the Remix version available on DVD is different than the original release and features several scenes edited back into the film, which is a little strange if you are used to the original version like I am.