Film Music Reporter

Three new movies are opening in wide release this weekend:

Opening in most theaters is the romantic drama The Lucky One based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, directed by Scott Hicks (Shine) and starring Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Blythe Danner. The film’s original score is written by Mark Isham. No score album has been announced yet, but WaterTower Music hss released a soundtrack album featuring the movie’s songs by artists including Jules Larson, Correatown, Joshua Radin, Early Winters, Voxhaul Broadcast, A Fine Frenzy and Mayfield. To listen to audio clips and check out the full track list, visit our previous article.

Also opening wide is the romantic comedy Think Like a Man directed by Tim Story and starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good, Gabrielle Union, Jerry Ferrara, Regina Hall, Terrence J. and Romany Malco. Christopher Lennertz has composed the film’s score. A soundtrack album featuring the comedy’s title song performed by Jennifer Hudson & Ne-Yo feat. Rick Ross, as well as other songs from and inspired by the film by artists including John Legend feat. Ludacris, Kelly Rowland and Future has been released on Epic Records. None of Lennertz score is included on the album. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full details.

The third wide release of the week is the Disneynature documentary Chimpanzee directed by Alastair Fothergrill (The Blue Planet, Deep Blue) and Mark Linfield (Earth) about a family of chimps living in the Ivory Coast and Ugandan rain forests. Nicholas Hooper (Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) has written the original score for the film. The project marks his second for film for Disneynature following last year’s African Cats. No soundtrack album has been announced. Check out our previous article to learn more about the film.

Opening in limited release this weekend is the indie drama Darling Companion directed by Lawrence Kasdan and starring Kevin Kline, Diane Keaton, Richard Jenkins and Elizabeth Moss. The film’s score is written by James Newton Howard who has worked together with the director several times before, on films including Grand Canyon, Wyatt Earp, French Kiss, Mumford and Dreamcatcher. No plans for a soundtrack release have been announced. To find out more about the film, which is released by Sony Pictures Classics, visit the official movie website.

Opening in about 50 IMAX theaters is the documentary To the Arctic 3D directed by Greg MacGillivray. The movie is narrated by Meryl Streep and follows the lives of a mother polar bear and her twin seven-month-old cubs as they navigate the changing Arctic wilderness they call home. Steve Wood (Everest, Dolphins) has composed the film’s score and Paul McCartney has written a number of original songs for the project. There is currently no soundtrack album available. More information about the film can be found in our previous news article.

Another limited release this weekend is the indie comedy Jesus Henry Christ written and directed by Dennis Lee (Fireflies in the Garden) and starring Michael Sheen, Toni Collette, Jason Paveck and Samantha Weinstein. The film’s music is composed by David Torn (Lars and the Real Girl, Friday Night Lights) and Simon Taufique. No soundtrack album has been announced. The movie follows a genius boy conceived whose world is turned upside down when he discovers he has a half sister, leading a trail to his biological father. To learn more about the comedy, which premiered at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival, visit the official movie website.

Also receiving a release in select cities is the horror film The Moth Diaries directed by Mary Harron (American Psycho) and starring Lily Cole, Sarah Bolger, Sarah Gadon and Scott Speedman. Lesley Barber (You Can Count on Me) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack album is available, but visit the composer’s official website to listen to several tracks from the score. The Moth Diaries premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival. To watch the trailer and learn more about the film, which is also available on Video on Demand, visit IFC’s movie website.