huntsman-winters-warOpening nationwide this week is the fantasy adventure The Huntsman: Winter’s War directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan and starring Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Nick Frost, Sam Claflin, Rob Brydon and Jessica Chastain. The film’s original music is composed by James Newton Howard (The Hunger GamesKing KongMaleficentThe Sixth Sense). Back Lot Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as a new version of the song Castle by Halsey arranged by the Howard. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the Universal Pictures release.

hologram-for-the-kingOpening in around 400 theaters is the comedy drama A Hologram for the King written and directed by Tom Tykwer and starring Tom Hanks, Alexander Black, Sarita Choudhury, Ben Winshaw, Tom Skerritt, Sidse Babett Knudsen and Jay Abdo. Tykwer (The InternationalCloud AtlasRun Lola Run) has also written the film’s original music with Johnny Klimek (One Hour PhotoSense8). Lakeshore Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composers’ score. Check out our previous news article for the full album details and for more information about the Roadside Attractions release.

elvis-and-nixonOpening in around 380 theaters is the comedy drama Elvis & Nixon directed by Liza Johnson and starring Michael Shannon, Kevin Spacey, Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Knoxville, Colin Hanks, Evan Peters, Sky Ferreira, Tracy Letts, Tate Donovan and Ashley Benson. The film’s original music is composed by Edward Shearmur (Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, The Count of Monte CristoCharlie’s AngelsCruel Intentions). Lakeshore Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as  the songs from the film by such artists as Sam & Dave, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Otis Reeding & more. Click here for the full album details.

compadresAlso opening in more than 300 theaters is the action comedy Compadres directed by Enrique Begne and starring Omar Chaparro, Aislinn Derbez, Joey Morgan, Camila Sodi, Eric Roberts and Kevin Pollack. Joan Valent (Witching and BitchingAs Luck Would Have It) has composed the film’s original music. No word on a soundtrack release. Compadres follows a former Mexican cop Garza who seeks revenge on the crime lord who framed him and forms an unlikely team with a young hacker from the U.S. The comedy is being released by Lionsgate’s Pantelion Films label.

the-meddlerOpening in New York and Los Angeles before expanding to more cities within the next couple of weeks is the comedy The Meddler written and directed by Lorene Scafaria and starring Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons, Jerrod Carmichael, Cecily Strong, Lucy Punch, Casey Wilson, Jason Ritter, Sarah Baker and Michael McKean. The film’s original music is composed by Jonathan Sadoff (Seeking a Friend for the End of the WorldGet a Job). No soundtrack album has been released. The Meddler follows an aging widow from New York City who follows her daughter to Los Angeles in hopes of starting a new life after her husband passes away. The comedy premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival and is being released by Sony Pictures Classics. Visit the official movie website for more information.

ninaAlso opening in limited release is the biographical drama Nina written and directed by  Cynthia Mort and starring Zoe Saldana and David Oyelowo. Roy Folguera has composed the film’s original score and Marius De Vries (Moulin Rouge!Kick-Ass) serves as the movie’s musical director. No word on a soundtrack release. Nina tells the story of the late jazz musician and classical pianist Nina Simone including her rise to fame and relationship with her manager Clifton Henderson. The drama is being released in theaters and on VOD by RLJ Entertainment.

tale-of-talesAlso opening in select theaters is the fantasy comedy Tale of Tales directed by Matteo Garrone and starring Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, John C. Reilly, Toby Jones, Shirley Henderson, Hayley Carmichael, Bebe Cave and Alba Rohrwacher. The film’s original music is composed by Alexandre Desplat (The King’s SpeechThe Grand Budapest HotelGodzillaHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). No soundtrack album has been announced. Tale of Tales tells three stories about the bitter quest of the Queen of Longtrellis, two mysterious sisters who provoke the passion of a king, and the King of Highhills who is obsessed with a giant Flea. The movie premiered at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and is being distributed in the U.S. by IFC Films. Click here for more information.

precious-cargoAlso opening in select cities this week is the action thriller Precious Cargo directed by Max Adams and starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Bruce Willis, Claire Forlani, Daniel Bernhardt, Nick Loeb, Lydia Hull, John Brotherton, Tyler J. Olson, Sammi Barber and Jenna Kelly. James Edward Barker and Tim Despic (Heist) have composed the film’s original music. No word on a soundtrack album. Check out our previous news article for more information about the movie, which is being released in theaters and on VOD by Lionsgate Premiere.

men-and-chickenAnother limited release this weekend is the Danish comedy Men & Chicken written and directed by Anders Thomas Jensen and starring Mads Mikkelsen, David Dencik, Nikolaj Lie Kass, Søren Malling and Nicolas Bro. The film’s original music is composed by Frans Bak (The Killing) and Jeppe Kaas. No soundtrack album has been released. Men & Chicken follows a pair of socially-challenged siblings who discover they are adopted half-brothers in their late father’s videotaped will. The comedy was shown at various film festivals last year and is being released in the U.S. by Drafthouse Films. Visit the official movie website to learn more about the film.