Three new movies are opening nationwide this week:
Already in theaters since Wednesday is the animated film sequel Despicable Me 2 directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud and featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, Steve Coogan and Benjamin Bratt. Pharrell Williams has written the movie’s original songs and themes and Heitor Pereira (The Smurfs) has composed the film’s original score. Back Lot Music has released a soundtrack album including both songs and score. Check out our previous article for the full album details and to listen to audio clips. Also click here for a video featurette on the music and visit Trailer Addict for a video interview with Pereira at the film’s red carpet premiere in Hollywood and ASCAP’s We Create Music blog for another interview with the composer.
Also opening wide is Walt Disney Pictures’ western The Lone Ranger directed by Gore Verbinski, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter. The film’s original score is composed and produced by Hans Zimmer. Walt Disney Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score earlier this week. A CD version is set to be released by Intrada Records later this month. Click here for the full details of the score album. Hollywood Records has also released a soundtrack featuring songs inspired by the film by artists including Ben Kweller, Iggy Pop, Shane MacGowan, Lucinda Williams and The White Buffalo. For the full track list, check out our previous news article.
Opening in over 800 theaters is the comedy Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain directed by Tim Story (Fantastic Four, Think Like a Man). The movie chronicles Hart’s 2012 Let Me Explain concert tour, which spanned 10 countries and 80 cities, and generated over $32 million in ticket sales. The film’s original score is composed by Kennard Ramsey (The Heavenly Kid, Lincoln Heights, Knot’s Landing). No soundtrack album has been announced. Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain is being released by Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate. To learn more about the comedy, visit the official movie website.
Opening in limited release is the indie comedy drama The Way, Way Back directed by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon and starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry and Liam James. The film’s original score is composed by Rob Simonsen (500 Days of Summer, The Spectacular Now). Columbia Records has released a soundtrack album featuring a track from the composer’s score, as well as songs by artists including Edie Brickell, INXS, Ben Kweller, UFO, Robert Palmer, Mr. Mister, Young Galaxy, Army Navy, Wild Belle and Tim Myers. For the full album details, check out our soundtrack announcement.
Also opening in limited release is the period action film Hammer of the Gods directed by Farren Blackburn and starring Charlie Bewley, Clive Standen and James Cosmo. Benjamin Wallfisch (The Escapist, Conquest 1453) has composed the film’s original score. MovieScore Media has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score digitally a couple of weeks ago. A physical version is set to be released next month. Check out our previous news article to learn more about the soundtrack and to listen to audio clips. Also visit Film Music Magazine for a recent interview with Wallfisch about his work on the film and his other recent projects.
Opening in New York, Orlando and Kansas City before expanding to more cities on July 26 is the indie comedy drama Stuck in Love written and directed by Josh Boone and starring Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Lily Collins, Logan Lerman, Nat Wolff and Kristen Bell. The film’s original score composed, arranged, performed and produced by Mike Mogis and Nathaniel Walcott (from Bright Eyes). Varese Sarabande has released two different soundtrack, including a song & score compilation featuring songs by Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith, Nat & Alex Wolff, Wallpaper Airplanes and Like Pioneers in addition to selections from the score. Click here for audio clips and more details. For more information on a separate soundtrack featuring the score, visit our previous article.
Also opening in select cities is the documentary Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me directed by Drew DeNicola & Olivia Mori about the Memphis band Big Star. The movie follows the initial commercial failure and subsequent critical acclaim of the alternative music band and features in-depth interviews and a musical tribute by the bands they inspired, including REM, The Replacements, Belle & Sebastian, Elliot Smith and Flaming Lips. Omnivore Recordings has released a soundtrack featuring previously unissued versions of classic Big Star, Chris Bell and Alex Chilton songs, and includes demos, plus alternate original and new mixes made especially for the film. Visit Amazon to order or download the soundtrack. To learn more about the documentary, which is being released by Magnolia Pictures and is also available on VOD, visit the official movie website.
