krampusOpening nationwide this weekend is the horror comedy Krampus written and directed by Michael Dougherty and starring Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Emjay Anthony, Allison Tolman, Conchata Ferrell, Stefania Lavie Owen and Krista Stadler. The film’s original music is composed by Douglas Pipes (Monster HouseTrick ‘r Treat). Back Lot Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Check out our previous article for the full album details. Also visit Film Music Magazine and Trailer Addict for interviews with the composer about his work on the project.

chi-raqOpening in around 300 theaters is the comedy drama Chi-Raq directed by Spike Lee and starring Teyohonah Parris, Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett, La La Anthony, John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, D.B. Sweeney, Harry Lennix and Steve Harris. Terence Blanchard (Malcolm XInside Man) has composed the film’s original score. RCA Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the songs from the film by artists including Nick Cannon, R. Kelly feat. Tunk, Jennifer Hudson, Sam Dew, The Bruce Hornsby Band & more. Check out our previous news article for more information.

youthOpening in New York and Los Angeles before expanding to other cities over the next couple of weeks is the drama Youth directed by Paolo Sorrentino and starring Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano and Jane Fonda. The film’s original music is composed David Lang. Milan Records has released a soundtrack album featuring some of Lang’s music, as well as other music from the film by Mark Kozelek, Sun Kil Moon, Paloma Faith, David Byrne, Bill Callahan, The Retrosettes Sister Band & more. Click here for the full album details. Also visit SoundWorks Collection for an audio interview with Lang about his work on the project.

macbethAlso opening in in New York and LA is the Shakespeare adaptation Macbeth directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cottilard, Sean Harris, Elizabeth Debicki, Paddy Considine and David Thewlis. Jed Kurzel (The BabadookSlow WestThe Snowtown MurdersSon of a Gun) has composed the film’s original music. Decca Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the film.

the-lettersOpening in around 900 theaters is the faith-based drama The Letters written and directed by William Riead and starring Juliet Stevenson, Max von Sydow, Rutger Hauer, Priya Darshini, Kranti Redkar and Aapo Pukk. The film’s original music is composed by Ciaran Hope. No word on a soundtrack release. The Letters is told through personal letters Mother Teresa wrote over the last forty years of her life. The movie is being distributed by Freestyle Releasing.

lifeAnother limited release this week is the drama Life directed by Anton Corbijn and starring Robert Pattinson, Dane DeHaan, Joel Edgerton, Alessandra Mastronardi, Stella Schnabel and Ben Kingsley. Owen Pallett (HerThe Box) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack album has been announced yet. Life is inspired by the true story of a friendship that developed between photographer Dennis Stock and actor James Dean when Stock was commissioned to photograph the actor for LIFE magazine in the 50s. The drama premiere at this year’s Berlin Film Festival and is being released in select theaters and on VOD by Cinedigm.

everything-will-be-fineAlso opening in select theaters is the drama Every Thing Will Be Fine directed by Wim Wenders and starring James Franco, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Rachel McAdams, Marie-Josee Croze, Robert Naylor, Patrick Bauchau and Peter Stormare. The film’s original music is composed by Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest HotelThe Danish GirlThe Queen). Wenders Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous news article for the full album details. The movie is being released stateside by IFC Films. Visit the official movie website for more information.

a-royal-night-outAlso opening in select cities is the British comedy drama A Royal Night Out directed by Julian Jerrald and starring Sarah Gadon, Bel Powley, Jack Raynor, Emily Watson and Rupert Everett. Paul Englishby (An EducationMiss Pettigrew Lives for a DayThe Musketeers) has composed the film’s original music. Sony Classical has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music earlier this year when the film opened overseas. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the movie, which is being released in the U.S. by Atlas Distribution.

mi-5Also opening in limited release is the thriller MI-5 directed by Bharat Nalluri and starring Peter Firth, Kit Harrington, Jennifer Ehle and Elyes Gabel. The film’s original music is composed by Dominic Lewis (Free Birds, The DUFF, The Man in the High Castle). Silva Screen Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music earlier this year when the movie was released overseas under the title Spooks: The Greater Good. Check out our previous article for the full album details.

the-wannabeAnother limited release is the crime drama The Wannabe written and directed by Nick Sandow,  executive produced by Martin Scorsese and Dean Devlin and starring Patricia Arquette, Vincent Piazza, Domenick Lombardozzi, David Zayas and Michael Imperioli. Nathan Larson (Boys Don’t CryA Walk in the WoodsShow Me a Hero, (Our) Idiot Brother) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack album has been released. The Wannabe is set in the early 1990s and follows a man obsessed with mob culture who attempts to fix the jury in the trial of John Gotti. The drama is being distribution by Momentum/Orion Pictures.

christmas-eveAlso opening in select theaters is the holiday comedy Christmas Eve written and directed by Mitch Davis and starring Patrick Stewart, Jon Heder, James Roday, Cheryl Hines, Max Casella, Julianna Guill, Shawn King and Gary Cole. The film’s original music is composed by Christian Davis (Just Let GoMurder in Mexico). Bad Haircut has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn ore about the comedy.