Three new movies are opening nationwide this weekend:
Opening in most theaters is the sci-fi action comedy Pixels directed by Chris Columbus and starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad and Brian Cox. The film’s original music is composed by Henry Jackman (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Big Hero 6, X-Men: First Class, Wreck-It-Ralph). Varese Sarabande has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous news article for the full album details. Also visit Music Times and Bam! Smack! Pow! for recent interviews with Jackman about his work on the project.
Also opening wide is the boxing drama Southpaw directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Naomie Harris, Oona Laurence and Rita Ora. James Horner (Avatar, Titanic, A Beautiful Mind) composed his last film score for the film, which is also dedicated to the composer. Sony Classical has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Click here to check out the full album details. A separate soundtrack featuring the songs from and inspired by the film, including Eminem’s Phenomenal, as well as tracks by 50 Cent, The Weeknd, The Notorious B.I.G., Slaughterhouse is also available. Check out our previous article for more information.
Also opening nationwide is the drama Paper Towns directed by Jake Schreier and starring Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Halston Sage, Austin Abrams, Jaz Sinclair and Justice Smith. The film’s original score is composed by Ryan Lott aka Son Lux. Atlantic Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the songs from the film by artists including Santigold, Vampire Weekend, Grouplove, Twin Shadow, Kindness, Vance Joy, Haim, Sam Bruno, The Mountain Goats, as well as a new mix of Lost It To Trying by Son Lux. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the film.
Open semi-wide is roughly 400 theaters is the horror thriller The Vatican Tapes directed by Mark Neveldine and starring Kathleen Robertson, Djimon Hounsou, Michael Peña, Dougray Scott and John Patrick Amedori. Joseph Bishara (The Conjuring, Insidious, Annabelle) has composed the film’s original music. Lakeshore Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score. Check out our previous news article for the full album details, to check out audio samples and to learn more about the Lionsgate/Pantelion Films release.
Opening in limited release is the action thriller American Heist Sarik Andreasyan and starring Hayden Christensen, Adrien Brody, Jordana Brewster, Tory Kittles and Akon who also composed the film’s original music. No word on a soundtrack release. American Heist follows two brothers with troubled pasts become embroiled in a high-stakes bank robbery. The movie premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival and was picked up by Saban Films/Lionsgate for a release on VOD and in select theaters.
Also opening in select theaters is the French comedy drama Samba directed by Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano and starring Omar Sy, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Tahar Rahim and Izia Higelin. The film’s original score is composed by Ludovico Einaudi who previously collaborated with the directors on The Intouchables. TF1 Music has released a soundtrack album featuring one track from the composer’s score, as well as songs by artists including The Brothers Johnson, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Gilberto Gil, Terry Callier, Syreeta and Jorge Ben last year when the film opened overseas. Click here for the full album details and to learn more about the movie, which is being released in the U.S. by Broad Green Pictures.
Also opening in limited release is the indie comedy drama Unexpected co-written and directed by Kris Swanberg and starring Cobie Smulders, Anders Holm, Gail Bean and Elizabeth McGovern. Keegan DeWitt (I’ll Follow You In My Dreams, Land Ho!) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack album has been announced. Unexpected centers on the unlikely friendship between an inner-city teacher and one of her students after both women become pregnant unexpectedly. The dramedy premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was picked up by The Film Arcade for a domestic release.
Another limited release this week is the indie thriller 10 Cent Pistol written and directed by Michael C. Martin and starring Jena Malone, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Joe Mantegna, JT Alexander and Damon Alexander. The film’s original music is composed by Jim Dooley (Pushing Daisies, The Last Ship, Obsessed, When a Stranger Calls). No word on a soundtrack album. 10 Cent Pistol tells the story of two brothers and lifelong criminals who maneuver through the shady underbelly of Los Angeles and a struggling actress who gets caught up in the brothers’ crimes. The movie is being released by Entertainment One.
Also opening in select theaters is the comedy Staten Island Summer directed by Rhys Thomas and starring Graham Phillips, Zack Pearlman, Ashley Greene, Kate Walsh, Jim Gaffigan and Gina Gershon. John Swihart (Napoleon Dynamite, How I Met Your Mother, Switched at Birth) has composed the film’s original music. No soundtrack album has been announced. Staten Island Summer follows follows two friends who spend the summer after high school graduation as poolside lifeguard. The comedy is being released by Paramount Pictures.
