Empire Records

Click Here For Netflix Link! 

This is the "Special Fan Edition" of "Empire Records, in which I'm not sure what the differences are from the original cut of the film. To me, this movie is basically "wallpaper". I added it to my queue because it was something I could have playing in the background that I didn't really have to pay a whole lot of attention to. That's probably from growing up with cable TV and being a total couch potato that I occasionally like to work around the house with the TV on. 

Its not a great, or even a good movie by any measure. Allan Moyle is probably best know for this, "Pump Up The Volume" and to a lesser extent (maybe too obscure?) "Times Square". The latter I haven't seen in ages, so I don't remember if its any good. I remember not liking it, but I need to give it another chance. They used to play all three of these movies on cable a bunch. 

This movie is "dated', but I like movies that are dated because they're more or less time capsules. "Empire" would make a good double feature with "Clueless" (which is a much better movie) if you're feeling like going back to 1995. 

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm hard pressed to believe that there would be that many employees (with the exception of Liv Tyler who showed up early for Rex Manning day) would be working at once in a somewhat little Mom and Pop store. I could be wrong. 

This was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina where I played a show recently at The Juggling Gypsy. I think the Empire Records building was downtown, which we drove through on our way to our next show. We did however, stop to eat at the Goody Goody House which is famous for its great omelets. I wonder if any of the cast/crew of this movie ate there? If not, they missed out. 

Its funny that the characters in the movie complain about the change from an independent store to a chain store, which I agree with. The aprons though (pictured), is definitely a sign of the times in retail. Nowadays, you have to wear (in my case) red and khaki, or __ and khaki at most retail stores. I would be thrilled if I could whatever I wanted and just throw an apron over it. There's no limit for my distaste of uniforms; I hate them. 

Jem & The Holograms

Click Here For The Netflix Link!

This Film Is Not Yet Rated

This Film Is Not Yet Rated

!Women Art Revolution

!Women Art Revolution

LIcense To Drive (1988)

After the change in the software for Netflix for Wii, I didn't know what to do about this humble blog. The entire concept was blown, its one topic status up in the air. So, I figured I'd roll with the punches and just fake my way through despite Netflix's changes. I can't knock them because the software is much faster than its predecessor.

I make buttons for bands, artists, etc so I watch TV a bunch when I'm working on them. I even have another blog dedicated to that. I can't remember who I was making pins for, but I decided to watch "License To Drive" after not seeing for a long time. It was once a cable TV staple, receiving airplay pretty frequently. 

The movie definitely doesn't hold up. I read a few reviews, (I'll research a movie after I've watched it usually) and they mention the second and third act of the movie sorta fizzling out. Very true. I wondered if maybe there were some jokes I didn't get watching it when I was younger that I might understand now that I'm 29, but there weren't too many. I guess maybe the exaggerated portrayal of drinking I understand more since I probably wasn't at the legal drinking age last time I saw it. 

It was interesting to recognize some of the actors. For instance, "Fresh Prince Of Bel Air"'s James Avery as Corey Haim's (who was only 38 when he died) DMV passenger with a hard on for burning hot 7-11 coffee in a styrofoam cup "filled to the brim". Also, Michael Manasseri as the Corey's nerdy 3rd wheel, but I remembered him as Wyatt on the TV version of "Weird Science". I used to watch that on USA when it aired. Right after that, we'd change the station to the local channel, 16 (which I think was WMFE or PBS) and they aired "The New Twilight Zone" with the theme that scares the hell out of me. I talk about that a little more in my button blog. Also, there's Heather Graham as "dream girl" Mercedes. She did "Drugstore Cowboy" after this which I haven't seen in forever, but I remember Matt Dillon yelling at her to never put a hat on a bed. 

100 pounds?! I wish! 

Wii's Software Update

Netflix has updated their software for the Wii. There is longer a "Retrieving Screen", but a solid black "Loading" screen instead.

Hot Bubblegum

"Hot Bubblegum" is a pretty entertaining and crazy Hebrew language (although overdubbed in English in this case) teen flick with lots of sex and swearing. Among the rampant profanities are good 1950's rock'n'roll (mostly Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba" at every possible opportunity), cool clothes and almost every "Popsicle Girl" in an elastic waist belt. Here, we find main character, Benzi chasing the manipulative, slutty, shiny lipped Niki (played by Orna Dagan instead of Anat Atzmon who was Niki in "Lemon Popsicle") in a cloud of blind love. Supposedly, the "Nikis" are two separate characters. I haven't seen, "Going Steady" which is the film that's right before this one, so I may be a little lost of the continuing story line. 

Be sure to check out a fansite from the UK called "Lemon Popsicle Forever" that has a thorough overview of all the movies in the "Popsicle" series.

Again with the funny Netflix created box covers, they use this image here:

BUT, as far as I could tell, this image is not from this movie. 

Here's the original poster art: