Two new movies are opening nationwide this weekend:

money-monsterOpening in most theaters is the dramatic thriller Money Monster directed by Jodie Foster and starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell, Dominic West, Giancarlo Esposito and Caitriona Balfe. The film’s original score is composed by Dominic Lewis (The Man in the High CastleFree Birds) and produced by Henry Jackman. Sony Classical and Madison Gate Records have released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Click here for the full album details. Madison Gate Records has also released the original song What Makes the World Go Round? (Money!) by Dan the Automator. Click here for more information.

the-darknessAlso opening wide is the horror thriller The Darkness directed by Greg McLean and starring Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell, David Mazouz, Lucy Fry, Matt Walsh and Jennifer Morrison. Johnny Klimek (One Hour PhotoSense8Cloud AtlasThe International) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack album has been announced. The Darkness (previously entitled 6 Miranda Drive) follows two families who return from a summer camping trip in the Grand Canyon with a supernatural presence in tow. The thriller is being released by BH Tilt. Visit the official movie website for more information.

love-and-friendshipOpening in limited release is the period romantic comedy Love & Friendship written and directed by Whit Stillman and starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel, Emma Greenwell, Tom Bennett and Stephen Fry. Mark Suozzo (American SplendorThe Nanny Diaries) is the film’s music director and Benjamin Esdraffo has composed the movie’s score. Sony Classical has released a soundtrack album featuring the music from the film, including classical pieces by Beethoven, Bach, Vivaldi & more. Check out our previous news article for the full album details and to learn more about the Amazon Studios/Roadside Attractions release.

the-lobsterAlso opening in limited release is the comedy The Lobster directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, Ben Whishaw, Léa Seydoux and Olivia Colman. The movie doesn’t feature an original score. Lakeshore Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the classical pieces featured in the film by  classical pieces from the film by Beethoven, Shostakovich & Stravinski performed by Borodin Quartet, Goldner String Quartet, Juilliard String Quartet and others, as well as a song by Nick Cave & Kylie Minogue. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the A24 Films release.

last-days-in-the-desertAlso opening in select theaters is the drama Last Days in the Desert  written and directed by Rodrigo Garcia and starring Ewan McGregor, Tye Sheridan, Ciaran Hinds and Ayelet Zurer. The film’s original music is composed by Danny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans (The GiftEnemyMartha Marcy May MarleneThe One I Love). 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 Broad Green Pictures release.

search-partyAlso opening in select cities is the comedy Search Party directed by Scot Armstrong and starring Adam Pally, T.J. Miller, Thomas Middleditch, Shannon Woodward, Alison Brie and Krysten Ritter. Craig Wedren (Wet Hot American SummerRole ModelsWanderlustFresh Off the Boat) has composed the film’s original score. No word on a soundtrack album. Search Party follows two roommates who go to serious lengths to save their friend who is stranded somewhere in Mexico. The comedy is being released in theaters and on VOD by Focus World.

high-riseAnother limited release this week is the sci-fi thriller High-Rise directed by Ben Wheatley and starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss and James Purefoy. The film’s original music is composed by Clint Mansell (Requiem for a DreamBlack SwanNoah, The Wrestler). Silva Screen 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 Magnet/Magnolia Pictures release. Also visit SoundWorks Collection, Fact Mag and Film Music Magazine for interviews with Mansell about his work on the project.

peleAlso opening in limited release is the biographical drama Pele: Birth of a Legend written and directed by Jeffrey Zimbalist & Michael Zimbalist and starring Vincent D’Onofio, Rodrigo Santoro, Diego Boneta, Seu Jorge and Colm Meaney. A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire127 HoursCouples RetreatMillion Dollar Arm) has composed the film’s original music. A soundtrack album is in the works. Pele: Birth of a Legend tells the story of the Brazilian soccer star  from his impoverished childhood in a Brazilian favela to his rise to glory at the age of 17. The drama is being released in U.S. theaters and on VOD by IFC Films. Visit the official movie website for more information.

sunset-songAlso opening in select theaters is the drama Sunset Song directed by Terence Davies and starring Agyness Deyn, Peter Mullan and Kevin Guthrie. The film’s original music is composed by Gast Waltzing (HysteriaJCVDHouse of Boys). Milan Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Check out our previous article for the full album details, to check out audio samples and to learn more about the film, which opened overseas last year and is being released in the U.S. by Magnolia Pictures. Also visit the official movie website for more information.

sundownAnother limited release this week is the comedy Sundown directed by Fernando Lebrija and starring Camilla Belle, Devon Werkheiser, Sean Marquette, Sara Paxton, Teri Hatcher, John Michael Higgins, Silverio Palacios, Jordi Molla, Reid Ewing and Alejandro Edda. Edward Rogers (BloodlineWarehouse 13Alphas) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack album has been announced. Sundown follows two high school seniors as they embark on an epic and priapic Spring Break in Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta. The comedy is being released by Lionsgate’s Pantelion label. Visit the official movie website for more information.

the-trustAlso opening in select cities this weekend is the crime dramedy The Trust directed by Ben & Alex Brewer and starring Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Jerry Lewis and Sky Ferreira. Reza Safinia (Filly BrownMercy) has composed the film’s original music. Lakeshore Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the Saban Films release, which is now also available on VOD following its DirecTV premiere last month.

the-congressmanAlso opening in limited release is the drama The Congressman directed by Jared Martin & Robert J. Mrazek and starring Treat Williams, Elizabeth Marvel, Ryan Merriman and George Hamilton. The film’s original music is composed by David Carbonara (Mad MenVegasAre You HereThe Guru). No word on a soundtrack release. The Congressman follows the title character, unswayed by political betrayal, a vicious media attack and a recent divorce, as he strives to maintain his dignity and protect a small fishing village from commercial corruption. The drama is being released by Vision Films. Visit the official movie website to learn more about the movie.

the-curse-of-sleeping-beautyAnother limited release this week is the fantasy thriller The Curse of Sleeping Beauty co-written and directed by Pearry Teo and starring Ethan Peck, Natalie Hall, India Eisley and Bruce Davison. Scott Glasgow (The Gene GenerationRiddleRobotech: The Shadow ChroniclesHack!) has composed the film’s original music. MovieScore Media has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous news article for the full album details and to learn more about the XLrator Media release.

i-am-wrathAlso opening in select theaters is the thriller I Am Wrath directed by Chuck Russell and starring John Travolta, Christopher Meloni, Sam Trammell, Amanda Schull, Asante Jones, Luis Da Silva Jr., Paul Sloan, Patrick St. Esprit and Rebecca De Mornay. The film’s original music is composed by Haim Mazar (The Iceman). MovieScore Media has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and for more information about the Lionsgate/Saban Films release.

under-the-gunAlso receiving a limited theatrical release before premiering this Sunday, May 15 on EPIX is the documentary Under the Gun directed by Stephanie Soechtig and executive produced & narrated by Katie Couric about the mass shootings that have ripped across the United States, compounding an epidemic of gun violence in the country. Brian Tyler (Fast & FuriousIron Man 3Avengers: Age of UltronNow You See Me) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack album has been announced yet. The documentary premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and will air on Sunday on EPIX. Visit the official movie website for more information.