Four new movies are opening in wide release this weekend:

Opening in most theaters is the action thriller Drive directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman and Oscar Isaacs. The film’s score is written by Cliff Martinez. A soundtrack featuring the composer’s score, as well as several songs from the movie has been released on Lakeshore Records. For more information on the release including audio clips, visit our soundtrack announcement. Also check out a video interview with Martinez about his music for the thriller on Ain’t It Cool News. Another audio interview with the composer talking about Drive and his other recent score for Contagion can be found on Film Music Magazine.

Also opening wide is the thriller remake of Straw Dogs directed by Rod Lurie and starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman and Oscar Isaacs. The movie’s score is composed by Lurie’s regular musical collaborator Larry Groupé. Madison Gate has released a soundtrack featuring Groupé’s score. Visit our previous article for the soundtrack details and audio clips. For an interview with the composer talking about his newest score, visit Film Music Magazine.

The third movie to receive a wide release this week is the romantic comedy I Don’t Know How She Does It directed by Douglas McGrath and stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Christina Hendricks, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Meyers and Olivia Munn. The film’s score is written by Aaron Zigman. Lakeshore Records is releasing two soundtrack albums for the film. The score album features Zigman’s music will be released on September 27 digitally and on CD in October (click here for the details). Audio clips and more information about the song album are posted in this article.

The final wide release of the week is the 3D re-release of Walt Disney Picture’s animated hit film The Lion King directed by Rob Minkoff. Hans Zimmer has received his only Academy Award to date for his original score for the film. Also, Elton John and Tim Rice have won the Academy Award for the song Can You Feel the Love Tonight?. Several soundtrack editions have been released over the the year. The most recent one to be released in the US is the 2003 Special Edition, which features all of the movie’s songs, as well as selections from Zimmer’s score. To order or download the album, visit Amazon.

Opening in limited release is the indie drama Restless directed by Gus Van Sant, produced by Ron and Bryce Dallas Howard and starring Mia Wasikowska and Henry Hooper. The film’s music is composed by Danny Elfman whose previous collaborations with the director include Good Will Hunting and Milk. No soundtrack album has been announced at this point. To find out more about the movie, visit our previous article.