Two new movies are opening wide this weekend:
Expected to top the weekend box office is the fantasy adventure Maleficent directed by Robert Stromberg and starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Imelda Staunton, Sam Riley, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville. James Newton Howard (The Hunger Games, King Kong, The Sixth Sense) has composed the film’s original music. Walt Disney Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music, as well as a new cover version of the song Once Upon a Dream by Lana Del Rey. For the full album details, check out our previous article. Also visit YouTube for a video featuring footage from the music’s recording sessions and click here for a short video interview with the composer about his work on the project.
Also opening wide is the western comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West directed by Seth MacFarlane and starring himself, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Neil Patrick Harris and Liam Neeson. The film’s original music is composed by Joel McNeely (Holes, Young Indiana Jones Chronicles). Back Lot Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as the end credits song A Million Ways to Die performed by Alan Jackson and the film’s musical number If You’ve Only Got a Moustache. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full details and audio clips. Also check out a video interview with McNeely at the film’s world premiere by clicking here.
Opening in limited release is the indie thriller Night Moves directed by Kelly Reichardt and starring Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning and Peter Sarsgaard. Jeff Grace (Cold in July, Stake Land, We Are What We Are) who previously scored the director’s feature Meek’s Cutoff has composed the film’s original music. Milan Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous news article for the full album details and to learn more about the film. Visit Soundcloud to listen to two full tracks from the album.
Also opening in select theaters is the Scottish comedic thriller Filth written and directed by Jon S. Baird and starring James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Eddie Marsan, Imogen Poots and Joanne Frogatt. The film’s original music is composed by Clint Mansell (Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream, Noah). Milan Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Check out our previous article for the full album details. A separate soundtrack featuring the film’s songs by artists including Billy Ocean, The Shirelles, Tom Jones, Otis Blackwell, Wilson Pickett and The Third Degree was released last fall overseas by Island Records. Click here for more information.
Opening in New York before expanding to other cities including Los Angeles within the next couple of weeks is the indie comedy drama Lucky Them directed by Megan Griffiths and starring Toni Collette, Ryan Eggold, Oliver Platt, Nina Arianda, Thomas Haden Church and Ahna O’Reilly. Craig Wedren (Role Models, Wet Hot American Summer, The School of Rock) has composed the film’s original score. No soundtrack album has been announced yet. Lucky Them follows a rock journalist who is given the impossible assignment to hunt down a long-unseen revered local musician. The comedy premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival and was picked up by IFC Films for domestic distribution. To learn more about the film, which is now also available on VOD, visit the official movie website.
Another limited release this weekend is the indie comedy The Grand Seduction directed by Don McKellar and starring Brendan Gleeson and Taylor Kitsch. Paul-Etienne Cote, Maxime Barzel and Francois-Pierre Lue have composed the film’s music. No word on a soundtrack release. The Grand Seduction takes place in a small town that mobilizes to woo a fast-living doctor to become a resident so they can qualify to host an economy-boosting petrochemical plant. The comedy premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival and was acquired by Entertainment One for U.S. distribution.
Also opening in limited release is the indie comedy The Big Ask directed by Thomas Beatty & Rebecca Fishman and starring Gillian Jacobs, Zachary Knighton, David Krumholtz, Melanie Lynskey, Ahna O’Reilly and Jason Ritter. The film’s original music is composed by Julian Wass (Hit and Run, The Pretty Ones, The Freebie). The composer has released a soundtrack album featuring his score earlier this month. Check out our previous news article for the full album details, audio clips and to learn more about the movie.
