Three new movies are opening nationwide this week:

girl-on-the-trainExpected to top the weekend box office is the dramatic thriller The Girl on the Train directed by Tate Taylor and starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Allison Janney, Edgar Ramirez, Lisa Kudrow and Laura Prepon. The film’s original music is composed by Danny Elfman (BatmanSpider-ManAlice in Wonderland, Fifty Shades of Grey). Sony Classical has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous article for the full album details.

the-birth-of-a-nationAlso opening nationwide is the historical drama The Birth of a Nation directed by Nate Parker who also stars in the movie alongside Armie Hammer, Mark Boone Jr., Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis, Dwight Henry, Gabrielle Union, Penelope Ann Miller and Jackie Earle Haley. Atlantic Records has released a soundtrack album featuring songs inspired by the film by artists such as Nas, Gucci Mane & Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Trey Songz & more. Click here for  more information. Henry Jackman (Captain America: Civil WarX-Men: First ClassWreck-It-Ralph) has composed the film’s original score. A score album is in the works. 

middle-schoolAlso opening wide is the family comedy Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life directed by Steve Carr and starring Griffin Gluck, Lauren Graham, Rob Riggle, Thomas Barbusca, Andy Daly and Adam Pally. The film’s original score is composed by Jeff C, ardoni (Mike and Dave Need Wedding DatesCSI: MiamiStep Up All InSilicon Valley). No word on a soundtrack album, but several tracks from the composer’s score can be checked out on his official website. To learn more about the CBS Films production, which is based on the New York Times bestseller of the same title, visit the official movie website.

voyage-of-timeOpening in select IMAX theaters is the documentary Voyage of Time written and directed by Terrence Malick and narrated by Brad Pitt. The movie doesn’t have a principal composer, but features original pieces by Hanan Townshend who previously scored the director’s To the Wonder and contributed music to The Tree of Life, as well as Simon Franglen (The Magnificent Seven). No soundtrack album has been announced. Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience is being released this weekend by Broad Green Pictures and a longer version narrated by Cate Blanchett is set to come out later. Visit the official movie website for more information.

blue-jayOpening in limited release is the indie drama Blue Jay directed by Andrew Lehmann, produced by the Duplass brothers and starring Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson. Julian Wass (Hit & RunOther People, The OvernightAnimalsThe Do-Deca Pentathlon) has composed the film’s original music. No word on a soundtrack release. Check out our scoring assignment announcement to learn more about the project. The movie is being released in theaters today by The Orchard followed by a VOD release next week.

the-greasy-stranglerAlso opening in limited release is the horror comedy The Greasy Strangler co-written and directed by Jim Hosking and starring Michael St. Michaels, Sky Elobar and Elizabeth de Razzo. The film’s original music is composed by Andrew Hung. Death Waltz Recordings has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, both as a digital version and a limited edition vinyl version. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the FilmRise release.

great-gilly-hopkinsAlso opening in select theaters is the family comedy drama The Great Gilly Hopkins directed by Stephen Herek and starring Sophie Nélisse, Kathy Bates, Julia Stiles, Bill Cobbs, Billy Magnussen, Octavia Spencer and Glenn Close. Mark Isham (CrashOnce Upon a TimeA River Runs Through ItMiracle42, American Crime) has composed the film’s original score. No soundtrack album has been announced. The movie based on the novel by  by Katherine Paterson revolves around a feisty foster kid’s outrageous scheme to be reunited with her birth mother. The film is being released by Lionsgate Premiere in theaters and on VOD.

the-late-bloomerAlso opening in select cities is the comedy The Late Bloomer directed by Kevin Pollak and starring Johnny Simmons, J.K. Simmons, Maria Bello, Brittany Snow, Jane Lynch, Ken Marino, Beck Bennett, Illeana Douglas Blake Cooper and Charlotte McKinney. The film’s original music is composed by Walter Murphy (TedTed 2Family GuyAmerican Dad). No word on a soundtrack release. Check out our previous news article to learn more about the Momentum Pictures release, which is also being released today on VOD.

london-townAnother limited release this week is the drama London Town directed by Derrick Borte  and starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as The Clash frontman Joe Strummer, alongside Daniel Huttlestone, Dougray Scott and Natascha McElhone. Bryan Senti (ExperimenterLowriders) has composed the film’s original score. Check out our scoring assignment announcement to learn more about the project. The drama premiered at this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival and is being released by IFC Films. Also visit the official movie website for more information.

siege-of-jadotvilleOpening in select theaters while also premiering on Netflix today is the drama The Siege of Jadotville directed by Richie Smyth and starring Jamie Dornan, Guillaume Canet, Jason O’Mara and Mark Strong. The film’s original music is composed by Joseph Trapanese (OblivionStraight Outta ComptonInsurgentEarth to Echo). No soundtrack album has been announced. The movie, which rells the true story of a group of Irish soldiers on a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Africa who valiantly defend their outpost, is now available to stream on Netflix.