Three new movies are opening nationwide this weekend:
Opening in most theaters is the animated feature The Angry Birds Movie directed by Fergal Reilly & Clay Kaytis and starring Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage, Kate McKinnon and Keegan-Michael Key. The film’s original music is composed by Heitor Pereira (Despicable Me, Minions, The Smurfs). Atlantic Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the songs from the film, as well as a separate soundtrack featuring Pereira’s score. Check out our previous news article for the full details of the song album and click here for more information about the score album and for several videos featuring the composer talking about his music for the project.
Also opening wide is the comedy sequel Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising directed by Nicholas Stoller and starring Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gallo, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kiersey Clemons and Beanie Feldstein. Michael Andrews (Bridesmaids, Donnie Darko, Bad Teacher, Funny People) who previously scored the 2014 original film has composed the film’s original score. Back Lot Music has released two songs from the film, Black Skinhead by Jacques Slade, THURZ & El Prez, and Party in My Pants by Kill the Giant. Check out our previous article for more information.
The third wide release is the comedic thriller The Nice Guys 
written and directed by Shane Black and starring Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David and Kim Basinger. The film’s original music is composed by John Ottman (X2, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and David Buckley (Jason Bourne, The Good Wife). Lakeshore Records has released two soundtracks, including an album featuring the songs from the movie (click here for more information), as well as an album featuring Ottman’s & Buckley’s score (click here for the full details).
Opening in limited release is the indie comedy Maggie’s Plan written and directed by Rebecca Miller and starring Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph and Travis Fimmel. Michael Rohatyn (The Private Eyes of Pippa Lee, The Ballad of Jack and Rose) who regularly works with Miller has composed the film’s original music. Milan Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as songs by Bruce Springsteen, The Skatalites, Don Drummond & more. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details.
Also opening in limited release is the Spanish drama Ma ma written and directed by Julio Medem and starring Penélope Cruz, Luis Tosar and Asier Etxeandia. The film’s original music is composed by Oscar winner Alberto Iglesias (The Constant Gardener, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Kite Runner, Exodus: Gods and Kings). Quartet Records has released a soundtrack album last year when the movie was released overseas. Check out our previous news article for the full album details. Ma ma is being released in the U.S. by Oscilloscope Laboratories. Visit the official movie website for more information.
Also opening in select theaters is the documentary Weiner directed by Josh Kriegman & Elyse Steinberg about disgraced New York Congressman Anthony Weiner’s mayoral campaign. Jeff Beal (House of Cards, Pollock, Monk, Carnivale, Rome, Appaloosa) has composed the film’s original music. No word yet on a soundtrack release. The movie premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and is being released in theaters by IFC Films. Visit the official movie website and our scoring assignment announcement for more information.
Also opening in select cities is the thriller Manhattan Night written and directed by Brian DeCubellis and starring Adrien Brody, Yvonne Strahovski, Jennifer Beals, Campbell Scott, Steven Berkoff and Linda Lavin. The film’s original music is composed by Joel Douek (Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie, The Wildest Dream). No soundtrack album has been announced. Manhattan Night follows a man who as he is drawn into a very nasty case of sexual obsession and blackmail – one that threatens his job, his marriage, and his life. The thriller is being released in theaters and on VOD by Lionsgate Premiere.
Another limited release this weekend is the documentary Almost Holy (previously entitled Crocodile Gennadiy) directed by Steve Hoover about Gennadiy Mokhnenko, a pastor who made a name for himself by forcibly removing homeless drug-addicted kids from the streets of Mariupol, Ukraine and housing them in his own rehab facility. Atticus Ross (Gone Girl, The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Leopold Ross & Bobby Krlic (Triple 9) have composed the film’s original music. Sacred Bones Records has released a soundtrack EP featuring three tracks from the score. A full album will be released later this year. Click here for more information.
Also opening in limited release is the drama Back in the Day directed by Paul Borghese and starring William Demeo, Michael Madsen, Alec Baldwin, Annabella Sciorra, Mike Tyson, Shannen Doherty and Danny Glover. The film’s original music is composed by Randy Edelman (Dragonheart, xXx, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Kindergarten Cop, Ghostbusters II). No soundtrack album has been released. Back in the Day follows a young boxer who is taken under the wing of a mob boss after his Mother dies and his Father is run out of town for being an abusive alcoholic. The drama is being released in theaters and on VOD by Abramorama. Visit the official movie website to learn more about the film.
Also opening in select theaters is the comedy drama Welcome to Happiness written and directed by Oliver Thompson and starring Kyle Gallner, Olivia Thiriby, Nick Offerman, Keegan-Michael Key, Molly C. Quinn, Brendan Sexton III, Josh Brener, Paget Brewster, Frances Conroy and Bess Rous. Thompson has also composed the film’s music. Second Hand Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the score, as well as the songs from the film by Peter Leclair, Emily Rose and Fryman Canyon. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and for more information about the film.
