Four new movies opened nationwide on Christmas Day:
Opening in most theaters is the drama Unbroken directed by Angelina Jolie and starring Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Miyavi, Garrett Hedlund and Finn Wittrock. The film’s original music is composed by Alexandre Desplat (The King’s Speech, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Queen, The Grand Budapest Hotel). Parlophone Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music, as well as the original song Miracles performed by Coldplay. Check out our previous news article for the full soundtrack details, to listen to audio clips and to learn more about the film.
Also opening wide is the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Into the Woods directed by Rob Marshall and starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski and Johnny Depp. The movie features songs composed by Stephen Sondheim (Sweeney Todd). Walt Disney Records has released two different soundtrack albums for the film featuring the songs performed by the movie’s cast. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full details of both the regular soundtrack and a 2-CD deluxe edition.
The third movie to open nationwide this week is the drama The Gambler directed by Rupert Wyatt and starring Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams and Jessica Lange. The film’s original score is composed by Jon Brion (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Magnolia) and Theo Green (House at the End of the Street). Universal Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the songs from the film by artists including Dinah Washington, M83, Pulp, Billy Bragg, Ayo, Ray LaMontagne, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Alan Price & more. Check out our previous article for the full soundtrack details and for more information about the Paramount Pictures release.
Also opening wide this holiday weekend is the comedy drama Big Eyes directed by Tim Burton and starring Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Krysten Ritter, Danny Huston, Jason Schwartzman and Terence Stamp. Danny Elfman (Spider-Man, Batman, Beetlejuice, Alice in Wonderland) has composed the film’s original music. Interscope Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as the original songs Big Eyes and I Can Fly performed by Lana Del Rey and tracks by Miles Davis, The Lively Ones, Red Garland Trio & more. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details.
Opening in around 300 independent theaters across the country is the action comedy The Interview directed by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg and starring James Franco, Rogen, Lizzy Caplan and Randall Park. The film’s original music is composed by Henry Jackman (X-Men: First Class, Captain Soldier: The Winter Soldier, Big Hero 6, Wreck-It-Ralph). A soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music, as well as his score for Rogen’s & Goldberg’s 2013 film This Is the End is set to be released by La-La Land Records next year. Check out our previous article for more information. The Interview follows the hosts of the popular celebrity tabloid TV show “Skylark Tonight who discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show and land interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. The comedy is being released by Sony Pictures.
Opening in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles before expanding nationwide in January is the war drama American Sniper directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman, Luke Grimes, Navid Negahan and Keir O’Donnell. Eastwood has composed Taya’s Theme for the film, which also features additional music by Joseph DeBeas and the track The Funeral from the 1965 western The Return of Ringo composed by Ennio Morricone over the end credits. No soundtrack album has been announced. To learn more about the Warner Bros. Pictures release, which tells the story of Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history with the nickname “Legend” and 160 confirmed kills. check out our previous news article.
Also opening in select cities before expanding nationwide next month is the historical drama Selma directed by Ava DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Cuba Gooding Jr, Alessandro Nivola, Giovanni Ribisi, Common, Carmen Ejogo, Lorraine Toussaint, Tim Roth and Oprah Winfrey. The film’s original score is composed by Jason Moran. No word yet on a score release, but the music can be streamed on Paramount Pictures’ awards website. The drama also features the original song Glory performed by Common and John Legend, which is now available to download on Amazon. Selma chronicles the three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. Visit the official movie website to learn more about the film.
