BBC has announced that Rachel Portman (Emma, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, The Vow, Never Let Me Go) is composing the original score for the upcoming animated TV special Mimi and the Mountain Dragon. The music will be performed by the BBC Philharmonic featuring singers from the Hallé’s family of choirs and will be recorded at Media City UK, Salford. The animated short about a village that quakes in fear of the mighty Mountain Dragon is based on the children’s book of the same title by Sir Michael Morpurgo (War Horse) and adapted for the screen by novelist, poet, and playwright, Owen Sheers.
Tag: Rachel Portman
‘Jim Henson’s The Storyteller’ Soundtrack Box Set Announced
Varese Sarabande has announced a limited-edition box set for the anthology series Jim Henson’s The Storyteller. The 3-CD set features selections of the original music from the show and its spinoff series Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Greek Myths composed by Academy Award winner Rachel Portman (Emma, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, The Manchurian Candidate, A Dog’s Purpose). The soundtrack will be released on April 27, 2018 with pre-orders beginning today on the label’s official website. Jim Henson’s The Storyteller stars John Hurt in the title role, who, aided by his cynical dog (performed by Brian Henson), narrates fascinating tales that combine humor, intrigue, and magic.
Weekly Film Music Roundup (April 7, 2017)
Three new movies are opening nationwide this weekend:
Opening in most theaters is the animated feature Smurfs: The Lost Village directed by Kelly Asbury and starring Demi Lovato, Rainn Wilson, Joe Manganiello, Jack McBrayer, Danny Pudi and Mandy Patinkin. The film’s original music is composed by Christopher Lennertz (Sausage Party, Horrible Bosses). Madison Gate Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as song written by Lennertz & KT Tunstall (click here for the full details). Also now available as a single another original song from the movie, I’m a Lady by Meghan Trainor.
Also opening wide is the crime comedy Going in Style directed by Zach Braff and starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Ann-Margret, Joey King, Matt Dillon and Christopher Lloyd. Rob Simonsen (Foxcatcher, The Spectacular Now, Nerve) has composed the film’s original music. WaterTower Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as songs by Dean Martin, Otis Redding, Jamie Cullum, Sonny Rollins & more. Check out our previous article for the full album details.
Weekly Film Music Roundup (March 31, 2017)
Two new movies are opening nationwide this week:
Opening in most theaters is DreamWorks Animation’s The Boss Baby directed by Tom McGrath and featuring the voices of Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow and Miles Bakshi. The film’s original music is composed by Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Gladiator, Inception, The Dark Knight) and Steve Mazzaro (Bullet to the Head). Back Lot Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composers’ score. Check out our previous article for the full album details.
Also opening wide is the film adaptation of Ghost in the Shell directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche and Michael Pitt. Clint Mansell (Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, Noah) and Lorne Balfe (The LEGO Batman Movie, Terminator Genisys) have composed the film’s original music. Paramount Pictures has released a soundtrack album featuring songs from and inspired by the movie (click here for the full details). A separate soundtrack featuring Mansell’s music was originally set for release today by Lakeshore Records, but appears to have been canceled or postponed indefinitely.
‘Their Finest’ Soundtrack Details
Varese Sarabande has announced the details of the soundtrack album for the comedy drama Their Finest. The album features the film’s original music composed by Academy Award winner Rachel Portman (Emma, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, A Dog’s Purpose, The Manchurian Candidate). Also included are a number of ‘pub classics’ performed by the film’s cast, including Bill Nighy’s rendition of Will You Go, Lassie, Go. The soundtrack will be released digitally on April 7, 2017 and physically on April 21. Visit Amazon to pre-order the CD. Their Finest is directed Lone Scherfig (An Education) and stars Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy and Sam Claflin. The movie follows a group of filmmakers who are struggling to make an inspirational film to boost morale during the Blitz of London in World War II.
Varese Sarabande to Release Brian Tyler’s ‘Power Rangers’ & Rachel Portman’s ‘Their Finest’ Scores
Varese Sarabande will release the official soundtrack album for the action adventure Power Rangers directed by Dean Israelite and starring Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, Ludi Lin, Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Banks. The album features the film’s original music composed by Brian Tyler (Fast & Furious, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Iron Man 3, Now You See Me). The soundtrack will be released around the film’s opening day on March 24 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. The label will also release a soundtrack album for the romantic comedy Their Finest directed Lone Scherfig and starring Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy & Sam Claflin.
Weekly Film Music Roundup (January 27, 2017)
Three new movies are opening nationwide this weekend:
Opening in most theaters is the sci-fi action sequel Resident Evil: The Final Chapter written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Iain Glen, Shawn Roberts, Ruby Rose, Eoin Macken, William Levy, Fraser James and Rola. The film’s original music is composed by Paul Haslinger (Underworld, Halt and Catch Fire, The Three Musketeers, Fear the Walking Dead). Milan Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous news article for the full album details. Also visit Film Music Magazine for a recent interview with Haslinger about his work on the project.
Also opening wide is the family drama A Dog’s Purpose directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, Britt Robertson, K.J. Apa, Juilet Rylance, Luke Kirby, John Ortiz, Pooch Hall and the voice of Josh Gad. Rachel Portman (Emma, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, The Manchurian Candidate, The Vow). 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.
‘A Dog’s Purpose’ Soundtrack Announced
Back Lot Music will release the official soundtrack album for the family drama A Dog’s Purpose. The album features the film’s original music composed by Academy Award winner Rachel Portman (Emma, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, Never Let Me Go, The Vow). The soundtrack will be released digitally this Friday, January 27 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon, where you can also listen to audio samples. A Dog’s Purpose is directed by Lasse Hallström and stars Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, Britt Robertson, K.J. Apa, Juilet Rylance, Luke Kirby, John Ortiz, Pooch Hall and the voice of Josh Gad. The movie based on the bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron tells the story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.
Rachel Portman Scoring Lasse Hallstrom’s ‘A Dog’s Purpose’
Rachel Portman is reteaming with director Lasse Hallstrom on the upcoming drama A Dog’s Purpose. The film starring Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, Peggy Lipton, K.J. Apa, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, John Ortiz and Pooch Hal is based on the bestselling 2010 novel of the same title by W. Bruce Cameron and centers on one devoted dog (voiced by Bradley Cooper) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he loves by teaching them to laugh and love. Cameron and his wife Cathryn Michon have written the screenplay. Gavin Polone (Gilmore Girls, Panic Room, 8MM, Secret Window) is producing the Amblin Entertainment & Walden Media production.
Rachel Portman Scoring Lone Scherfig’s ‘Their Finest Hour and a Half’
Rachel Portman has recently recorded her score for the upcoming screwball comedy Their Finest Hour and a Half. The film is directed by Lone Scherfig (An Education, Italian for Beginners) and stars Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Sam Claflin, Jack Huston and Claudia Jessie. The movie is based on the novel by Lissa Evans and follows a British movie crew trying to make a patriotic film to boost morale after the Blitz during World War II, only for a battle of the sexes to ensue. Gaby Chiappe has written the screenplay. Amanda Posey (Brooklyn, Fever Pitch) & Stephen Woolley (Interview with the Vampire, Carol, The Crying Game) are producing the BBC Films and HanWay production.