Film Music Reporter

Two new movies are opening wide this weekend:

Opening in most theaters is Pixar’s animated film sequel Monsters University directed by Dan Scanion and featuring the voice talent of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi Jennifer Tilly, Frank Oz, John Ratzenberger and Kelsey Grammer. The film’s music is composed by Randy Newman who previously scored 2001’s Monsters, Inc. Walt Disney Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as track from Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso of the electronic music trio Swedish House Mafia. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details. Also visit MovieWeb for a short video interview with the composer about his work on the film.

Also opening wide is the zombie thriller World War Z directed by Marc Forster and starring Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale and Matthew Fox. The film’s original score is composed by Marco Beltrami (Scream, 3:10 to Yuma). The thriller also features additional music by Matthew Bellamy performed by Muse. Warner Bros. Records has released a soundtrack album featuring Beltrami’s score. Check out our previous article for the full album details. Also visit YouTube for a video interview with the composer, as well as Classic FM, WNYC’s Soundcheck and The Movie Bit for audio interviews. Also check out We Are Movie Geeks and The Hollywood Reporter for more interviews.

Opening in limited release is the musical comedy drama Unfinished Song written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams and starring Terence Stamp, Gemma Arterton, Vanessa Redgrave and Christopher Eccleston. Laura Rossi has composed the film’s original score. Sony Classical has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as the songs featured in the film performed by the movie’s cast earlier this week. Click here to order the album. Also visit our previous news article for the soundtrack details. Unfinished Song is being released by the Weinstein Company.

Also opening in limited release is the drama The Attack (L’attentat) directed by Ziad Doueiri (West Beirut, Lila Says) and starring Ali Suliman and Reymonde Amsellem. The film’s original music is composed by Eric Neveux (Intimacy, Borgia). Unkle Productions has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our soundtrack announcement to listen to audio clips and to learn more about the album and film. The Attack is being released by Cohen Media Group.

Also opening in select cities is the horror film Maniac directed by Franck Khalfoun and starring Elijah Wood and Nora Arnezeder. French composer Rob has composed the film’s original score. Hamburger Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music earlier this year. Click here to listen to audio clips and download the album. Maniac is a remake of the William Lustic 1980 slasher pic and is scripted by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Piranha) and Gregory Levasseur. The horror feature is being released by IFC Films and is now also available on VOD. Visit the official movie website to learn more about the film.

Another limited release this week is the thriller Compulsion directed by Egidio Coccimiglio and starring Heather Graham, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Mantegna and Kevin Dillon. Jonathan Goldsmith (Take This Waltz, Casino Jack) has composed the film’s original score. No word on a soundtrack release. Compulsion follows two neighbors dealing with obsessions that have taken over each of their lives. The thriller is being released by Phase 4 Films and is now also available on VOD. Click here to watch the film’s trailer.

Also opening in select cities is the documentary Storm Surfers 3D directed by Justin McMillan and Chris Nelius. The movie follows surfing legends Tom Carroll and Ross Clarke-Jones, along with surf forecaster Ben Matson, as they track and chase giant storms in their quest to ride the Pacific’s biggest and most dangerous waves. The film’s music is composed by Michael Yezerski and Richard Tognetti. A soundtrack album featuring the film’s music has been released last years. Visit Amazon to download the album. Storm Surfers 3D is being released by XLrator Media.