Film Music Reporter

Two new movies opening nationwide this weekend:

Expected to top the weekend box office is the biblical epic Noah directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins and Logan Lerman. Clint Mansell who previously scored all of the director’s features including Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, Pi, Black Swan and The Wrestler has composed the film’s original music. Nonesuch Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the score by the composer who collaborated with the Kronos Quartet on the project. Also included is the original song Mercy Is performed by Patti Smith. For the full album details, check out our previous article. For a recent audio interview with Mansell about work on the project, visit Film Music Magazine.

Also opening wide is the action thriller Sabotage directed by David Ayer and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Olivia Williams, Mireille Enos, Sam Worthingtonq, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Joe Manganiello, Max Martini and Josh Holloway. The film’s original score is composed by David Sardy (21, Zombieland, Premium Rush) who previously collaborated with Sardy on 2012’s End of Watch. No soundtrack album has been announced. Sabotage follows an elite DEA task force that takes on the world’s deadliest drug cartels. The movie is being released by Open Road Films. To learn more about the thriller, visit the official movie website.

Opening semi-wide in around 600 theaters is the biographical drama Cesar Chavez directed by Diego Luna and starring Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, John Malkovich, Jacob Vargas, Yancey Arias, Wes Bentley and John Ortiz. Michael Brook (Into the Wild, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Fighter) has composed the film’s original music. No word on a soundtrack release. Cesar Chavez chronicles the birth of a modern American movement led by the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer. The drama is being released by Lionsgate’s Pantelion Films label. For more information about the film, visit the official movie website.

Opening in New York and Los Angeles before expanding to more cities within the next few weeks is the action sequel The Raid 2  directed by Gareth Evans and starring Iko Uwais. Joseph Trapanese (Oblivion) who previously co-scored the U.S. version of the first part with Mike Shinoda has composed the sequel’s score with Aria Prayogi & Fajar Yuskemal who scored the original version of The Raid: Redemption. Spacelab9 and Madison Gate Records have released a soundtrack album featuring the score and the original song Hush by Arti Dewi. Click here for the full soundtrack details and audio clips. Also check out interviews with Trapanese about his work on the film with David Poland on DP/30, Hitfix and Twitch.

Also opening in select theaters is the indie drama Breathe In co-written and directed by Drake Doremus and starring Guy Pearce, Felicity Jones, Amy Ryan and Mackenzie Davis. The film’s original music is composed by Dustin O’Halloran who previously scored the director’s critically acclaimed indie Like Crazy. Milan Records has released a soundtrack featuring the composer’s score in the U.S. earlier this week. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details, for more information about the drama and to listen to audio clips.

Another limited release this week is the French/Belgian/Irish co-production Just a Sigh (Le temps de l’aventure) directed by Jérome Bonnell and starring Emmanuelle Devos, Gabriel Byrne and Gilles Privat. The romantic drama features an original score composed by Raf Keunen (Bullhead). No word on a soundtrack release. Just a Sigh follows a stage actress who makes a quick escape to Paris and meets a mysterious English stranger on the train. The drama premiered at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival and is being distributed in the U.S. by Distrib Films.

Also opening in limited release is the thriller Boys of Abu Ghraib directed by  Luke Moran and starring himself, Omid Abtahi, John Heard, Michael Welch, Elijah Kelley, John Robinson, Sara Paxton, Scott Patterson and Sean Astin. Dan Marocco (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Brotherhood) has composed the film’s original score.  Wishing Well Pictures has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music, as well as the songs from the film. Check out our previous news article to check out the full album details and to listen to audio clips.