Film Music Reporter

Two new movies are opening wide this weekend:

Expected to top the weekend box office is the action adventure epic 300: Rise of an Empire directed by Noam Murro and starring Sullivan Stapleton, Rodrigo Santoro, Eva Green, Callan Mulvey, Jack O’Connell and Lena Headey. The film’s original music is compowed by Junkie XL (Divergent, Paranoia). WaterTower Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score earlier this week. Check out our previous news article for the full album details and more information about the film and click here to listen to audio clips.

Also opening wide is DreamWorks Animation’s Mr. Peabody & Sherman directed by Rob Minkoff and featuring the voice talent of Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Leslie Mann, Stanley Tucci, Allison Janney, Ariel Winter, Stephen Colbert, Patrick Warburton, Mel Brooks, Lake Bell, Zach Callison and Dennis Haysbert. Danny Elfman (Spider-Man, Batman, Men in Black) has composed the film’s original music. Relativity Music Group has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as John Lennon’s Beautiful Boy and the original song Way Back When by Grizfolk. For the full album details and to learn more about the film, check out our soundtrack announcement.

Opening in limited release is the comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel written and directed by Wes Anderson and starring Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody. The film’s original score is composed by Alexandre Desplat (Philomena, The King’s Speech) who previously scored the director’s last two features The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Moonrise Kingdom. ABKCO Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music, as well as a number of folk music tracks used in the movie. Check out our previous news article for the full album details.

Also opening in select theaters is the indie drama The Face of Love directed by Arie Posin and starring Annette Bening, Ed Harris, Robin Williams, Jess Weixler and Amy Brenneman. Marcelo Zarvos (Enough Said, Hollywoodland, Remember Me) has composed the film’s original music. Varese Sarabande will release a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score next Tuesday, March 11. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the project.

Another limited release this weekend is the dramatic thriller Grand Piano starring Eugenio Mira and starring Elijah Wood, John Cusack, Tamsin Egerton, Kerry Bishe, Don McManus, Alex Winter and Allen Leech. Victor Reyes who is best known internationally for his work with the film’s producer Rodrigo Cortes (Buried, Red Lights) has composed the film’s original music. No word yet on a soundtrack release. The thriller premiered at last year’s Fantastic Fest and was picked up for domestic distribution by Magnolia Pictures’ Magnet Releasing. To learn more about the film, which is also available on VOD, visit the official movie website.

Also opening in limited release is the horror thriller Haunt directed by Mac Carter and starring Harriston Gilbertson, Liana Liberato, Jacki Weaver and Ione Skye. The film’s original music is composed by Reinhold Heil (Cloud Atlas, Helix, One Hour Photo). No soundtrack album has been announced yet. Haunt centers on a boy who gets involved with a mysterious neighbor when his family moves into a new home and unwittingly summons a demon. The film is being released by IFC Midnight and is also available on VOD. Click here to learn more about the film.

Also opening in select cities is the indie horror thriller In Fear written and directed by Jeremy Lovering and starring Iain De Caestecker, Alice Englert and Allen Leech. The film’s original score is composed by Daniel Pemberton (The Counselor, The Awakening) and Roly Porter. No word on a soundtrack release. The horror thriller premiered at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and was picked up by Anchor Bay Films for U.S. distribution. The movie will also be released on VOD, Blu-ray and DVD next Tuesday, March 11.