minionsExpected to top the weekend box office is the animated feature Minions directed by Pierre Coffin &  Kyle Balda and featuring the voices of Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan and Geoffrey Rush. The film’s original music is composed by Heitor Pereira (Despicable MeThe SmurfsIf I StayBeverly Hills Chihuahua). Back Lot Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as the songs from the movie by artists including including The Turtles, The Kinks, The Who, Donovan and The Spencer Davis Group. Check out our previous news article for the full album details and to listen to audio samples. Also visit Film Music Magazine and Trailer Addict for interviews with Pereira about his work on the project.

selflessAlso opening wide is the sci-fi thriller Self/less directed by Tarsem Singh and starring Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Martinez, Matthew Goode, Victor Garber, Derek Luke, Michelle Dockery and Ben Kingsley. Antonio Pinto (City of God, Lord of War, McFarland, USA, The Host, Snitch) and Dudu Aram have composed the film’s original music. Varese Sarabande will release a soundtrack album featuring the composers’ music on July 24. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the Focus Features release.

the-gallowsAlso opening wide is the horror thriller The Gallows written and directed by Chris Lofing & Travis Cluff and starring Cassidy Gifford, Ryan Shoos, Reese Mishler and Pfeifer Brown. The film’s original music is composed by Zach Lemmons and 10K Islands. No word on a soundtrack release. The Gallows is set twenty years after an accident caused the death of the lead actor during a high school play and follows the students at the same small town school resurrect the failed stage production in a misguided attempt to honor the anniversary of the tragedy. To learn more about the New Line Cinema production, which is being released by Warner Bros. Pictures, visit the official show website.

strangerlandOpening in limited release is the drama Strangerland directed by Kim Farrant and starring Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, Hugo Weaving, Lisa Flanagan, Meyne Wyatt and Maddison Brown. Keefus Ciancia (The Motel LifeDianaAs Above, So BelowNashville) has composed the film’s original music. Iris Records & Mister Green Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous article for the full album details and to learn more about the Alchemy release.

boulevardAlso opening in select theaters is the indie drama Boulevard directed by Dito Montiel and starring Robin Williams, Kathy Baker, Bob Odenkirk and Roberto Aguire. The film’s original music is composed by David Wittman (FightingThe Son of No OneEmpire State). Boulevard follows a married but closeted 60 year-old bank employee whose life changes in unexpected ways after recklessly picking up a young male hustler. The drama premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and is being released by Starz Digital.

what-we-did-on-our-holidayAlso opening in limited release is the comedy What We Did On Our Holiday directed by Andy Hamilton & Guy Jenkin and starring Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Ben Miller and Amelia Bullmore. The film’s original music is composed by Alex Heffes (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, The Last King of Scotland, State of Play). No soundtrack album has been released. The movie follows a couple who tries to keep their impending divorce secret from their extended family during a trip to one of their father’s birthday party. The comedy was released overseas last fall and is being released in the U.S. by Lionsgate.