Two new movies are opening nationwide this weekend:

secret-life-of-petsExpected to top the weekend box office is the animated feature The Secret Life of Pets  directed by Chris Renaud & Yarrow Cheney and starring Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Jenny Slate, Bobby Moynihan, Hannibal Buress and Albert Brooks. The film’s original music is composed by Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest HotelThe King’s SpeechHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). Back Lot Music 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 Universal Pictures release.

mike-and-daveAlso opening wide is the comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates directed by Jake Szymanski and starring Zac Efron, Adam Devine, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Lyn Sugar Beard and Stephen Root. Jeff Cardoni (Silicon ValleyJust FriendsCSI: Miami) has composed the film’s original score. Lakeshore Records has released a soundtrack album featuring a score suite by the composer, as well as the songs from the movie by Outasight, Mase, The Beatards, The Darkness, Think Lizzy & more. Check out our previous news article for the full album details and for more information about the 20th Century Fox release.

captain-fantasticOpening in limited release is the indie drama Captain Fantastic written and directed by Matt Ross and starring Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella, George MacKay, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn and Ann Dowd. The film’s original music is composed by Alex Somers (AlohaManhattanAll the Wilderness). Lakeshore Records has announced two soundtracks, including an album featuring Somers’ score (click here for more information), as well as an album featuring the songs from the movie by Sigur Rós, Jónsi & Alex, Israel Nash, Kirk Ross & more (click here for the full details).

cellAlso opening in limited release is the horror thriller Cell directed by Tod Williams and starring John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman and Stacy Keach. Marcelo Zarvos (The Good Shepherd, The Affair, Enough Said, Ray Donovan) who previously scored Williams’ The Door in the Floor has composed the film’s original music. Filmtrax has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and for more information about the Lionsgate Premiere/Saban Films release.

zero-daysAlso opening in select theaters is the documentary Zero Days directed by Alex Gibney (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the RoomTaxi to the Dark Side) about Stuxnet, the self-replicating computer malware that the U.S. and Israel unleashed to destroy a key part of an Iranian nuclear facility. The film’s original music is composed by Will Bates (The PathI OriginsAnother Earth) who previously collaborated with Gibney on projects including Going ClearSteve Jobs: The Man in the Machine and We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks. No word on a soundtrack release. Zero Days premiered at this year’s Berlin Film Festival and is being released by Magnolia Pictures. Visit the official movie website for more information.

fathers-and-daughtersAlso opening in select cities is the drama Fathers and Daughters directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Aaron Paul, Jane Fonda, Octavia Spencer, Bruce Greenwood, Quvenzhane Wallis, Diane Kruger and Janet McTeer. Paolo Buonvino (The Last KissRemember Me, My Love) has composed the film’s original music. Lakeshore Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as two songs by Michael Bolton. Check out our previous article for the full album details and to learn more about the film, which is being released in the U.S. by Vertical Entertainment.

the-dog-loverAnother limited release this week is the family drama The Dog Lover directed by Alex Ranarivelo and starring Allison Paige, James Remar, Lea Thompson and Jayson Blair. The film’s original music is composed by Jamie Christopherson (The Crow: Wicked PrayerMetal Gear Rising: Revengeance). No soundtrack album has been announced. The Dog Lover follows an animal rights activist who goes undercover as a college intern to infiltrate a suspected “puppy mill” run. The drama is being released by ESX Entertainment. Visit the official movie website for more information.