Three new movies are opening nationwide this weekend:
Opening in most theaters is the biblical drama Risen directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felon, Peter Firth and Cliff Curtis. The film’s original music is composed by Roque Banos (The Machinist, In the Heart of the Sea, Evil Dead, Sexy Beast, Oldboy). Madison Gate Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score last week. Check out our previous news article for the full album details and to learn more about the Sony Pictures release.
Also opening wide is the sports drama Race directed by Stephen Hopkins and starring Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons, William Hurt and Carice van Houten. Rachel Portman (The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, The Manchurian Candidate, Emma) has composed the film’s original music. Back Lot Music has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as the original song Let The Games Begin by Aloe Blacc. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details.
The third new movie opening nationwide this week is the horror thriller The Witch directed by Robert Eggers and starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, Lucas Dawson and Bathsheba Garnett. The film’s original music is composed by Mark Korven (Cube). Milan Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous article for the full album details. Also visit Film Music Magazine, FACT Magazine and Shock Till You Drop for interviews with the composer about his work on the project.
Opening in limited release is the Chinese fantasy comedy The Mermaid (Mei ten yu) directed by Stephen Chow and starring Deng Chao, Jelly Lin, Kitty Zhang, Show Lo, Tsui Hark, Kris Wu, Wen Zhang, Lu Zhengyu, Lee Sheung-ching, Chiu Chi-ling, Zhang Mei’e and Yang Neng. Raymond Wong (Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer, Journey to the West) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack release has been announced. The Mermaid follows a business tycoon who falls in love with the beautiful mermaid sent to kill him after his latest project kills many of her people. The comedy opened to record numbers earlier this month in China and is being released in the U.S. by Sony/Columbia Pictures.
Already playing in limited release since this past Wednesday is the Columbian drama Embrace of the Serpent directed by Ciro Guerra. The film’s original music is composed by directed by Nascuy Linares. Plaza Major Company has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the film, which is nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category at this year’s Academy Awards and is being released in the U.S. by Oscilloscope Labaratories.
Also opening in select cities is the western Forsaken directed by Jon Cassar and starring Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, Brian Cox, Michael Wincott, Aaron Poole, Demi Moore and Greg Ellis. Jonathan Goldsmith (Away from Her, Take This Waltz, Casino Jack) has composed the film’s original music. No word yet on a soundtrack release. Forsaken follows an embittered gunslinger who attempts to make amends with his estranged father while their community is besieged by ruthless land-grabbers. The western is being released in theaters and on VOD by Momentum Pictures.
Also opening in select theaters is the animated feature Snowtime! directed by Jean-Francois Pouliot & Francois Brisson and featuring the voice talent of Angela Gallupo, Lucinda Davis, Sonja Ball, Don Shepherd, Jenna Wheeler, Heidi Lynne Weeks, Elisabeth MacRae and Sandra Oh. The film’s original music is composed by Eloi Painchaid and Jorane. Sony Masterworks has released a soundtrack album featuring the score, as well as original songs by Celine Dion, Simple Plan, Marie-Mai, Groenland and Walk Off The Earth. Check out our previous article for the full album details.
