Only one new movie is opening nationwide this weekend:
Opening in more than 2000 theaters is the comedy The Black Man Holiday directed by Malcolm D. Lee and starring Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa and Regina Hall. Stanley Clarke (Passenger 57) who has previously collaborated with Lee on such films as Undercover Brothers, Soul Men and the original The Best Man film has composed the movie’s original score. RCA Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the Christmas-themed songs from the film by artists including Jordin Sparks, R. Kelly, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Ne-Yo and Emeli Sande. For the full album details, check out our soundtrack announcement.
Opening in New York and Los Angeles before expanding to more cities within the next couple of weeks is the comedy drama Nebraska directed by Alexander Payne and starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, Stacy Keach, June Squibb and Bob Odenkirk. The film’s music is composed by Mark Orton (The Good Girl) of the Californian acoustic chamber music group Tin Hat. Milan Records has released the official soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous article for the full album details and to listen to a track from the album. Also visit Film Music Magazine for an interview with Orton about his work on the film.
Also opening in limited release is the indie drama Charlie Countryman directed by Fredrik Bond and starring Shia LaBeouf, Evan Rachel Wood, Mads Mikkelsen, Melissa Leo and Rupert Grint. The film’s original score is composed by Christophe Beck (The Hangover, Frozen, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Dead Mono. No word yet on a soundtrack album, but visit Beck’s official website to listen to a couple of tracks from the score. Charlie Countryman premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was picked up by Millennium Entertainment for domestic distribution. Visit the official movie website to learn more about the drama.
Opening in Los Angeles before expanding to more cities within the next couple of weeks is the Italian comedy drama The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) co-written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino and starring Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli; Roberto Herlitzka and Isabella Ferrari. The film’s original score is composed by Lele Marchitelli. EMI Italy has released a soundtrack album featuring selections from the score, as well as other music from the movie, including classical pieces by Kronos Quartet, John Tavener, Zbigniew Preisner, Georges Bizet and Henryk Gorecki. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details.
Another limited release is the indie drama Sunlight Jr. written and directed by Laurie Collyer and starring Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon, Norman Reedus and Tess Harper. Sunlight Jr. follows a convenience store clerk and her paraplegic boyfriend who are trapped in a generational cycle of poverty and ignorance. J Mascis who is best known as the singer, guitarist and songwriter for the underground rock band Dinosaur has composed the film’s original score. No soundtrack album has been announced. The movie premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and was picked up by Gravitas Ventures and Samuel Goldwyn Films for U.S. distribution. To learn more about the drama, which is also available on VOD, visit the official movie website.
Also opening in select theaters is the concert documentary 12-12-12 directed by Amir Bar-Lev & Charlie Lightening. The film takes a behind the scenes look at the historic superstorm Sandy benefit concert, which took place at New York’s Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012 and featured performances by artists including Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Roger Waters, Eddie Vedder, Chris Martin, Michael Stipe, Adam Sandler, Eric Clapton, Jon Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Kanye West. No word on a soundtrack release. To find out more about the documentary, which is being released by the Weinstein Company, visit the official movie website.
