The Weinstein Company has published the score for Tim Burton’s Big Eyes. The music is composed by the director’s regular musical collaborator Danny Elfman (Batman, Spider-Man, Alice in Wonderland). Also available to stream is the original song Big Eyes performed by Lana Del Rey and written by herself and Daniel Heath (check out the recently published lyric music video after the jump). Visit Weinstein’s guild website to listen to the soundtrack. Check back on this page for the soundtrack details as they are announced. Big Eyes starring Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Krysten Ritter, Danny Huston, Jason Schwartzman and Terence Stamp is based on the true story of Walter Keane, who was one of the most successful painters of the 1950s and early 1960s whose art, as was later revealed, was actually not created by him at all, but by his wife, Margaret.
Category: Film Music News
‘Wolf Totem’ Score Preview
Mars Films has published the first audio clip from the original score for Jean-Jacques Annaud’s epic drama Wolf Totem. The film’s music is composed by Academy Award winner James Horner (Titanic, Braveheart, Avatar, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind). Check out the 45-second audio clip after the jump. Wolf Totem starring Chinese actors Feng Shaofeng and Dou Xiao is based on Jiang Rong’s autobiographical novel of the same title and tells the story of a student who is sent from Beijing in China to the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia to teach shepherds and learns about the bond that they share with the wolves.
Nominations for 42nd Annie Awards Announced
The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, has announced the nominations for the 42nd Annual Annie Awards. Here are the music-related nominees:
Music in an Animated Feature Production
- Nicole Renaud – Cheatin’ – Plymptoons Studios
- John Powell, Jónsi – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation
- Danny Elfman – Mr. Peabody & Sherman – DreamWorks Animation
- Bruno Coulais & Kila – Song of the Sea – GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
- Joe Hisaishi – The Tale of Princess Kaguya – GKIDS/Studio Ghibli
Weekly Film Music Roundup (November 28, 2014)
Two new movies opened nationwide this past Wednesday:
Opening in most theaters this week is the animated feature Penguins of Madagascar directed by Simon Smith & Eric Darnell and featuring the voice talent of Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Chris Knights, John Malkovich, Benedict Cumberbatch, Annett Mahendru, Ken Jeong and Peter Stormare. The film’s original music is composed by Lorne Balfe (Megamind, The Dilemma). Relativity Music Group has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score from the film, as well as a separate soundtrack featuring five holiday songs. Check out our previous news article for the details of both albums and to learn more about the film.
Also opening wide this weekend is the comedy sequel Horrible Bosses 2 directed by Sean Anders and starring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine and Christoph Waltz. Christopher Lennertz (Identity Thief, Ride Along) has composed the film’s original score. Visit Anatomy of a Film for a recent video interview with the composer about his work on the film. WaterTower Music has released a soundtrack album featuring selections of Lennertz’s score, as well as songs by The Clash, Katy Perry, Pitbull, The Heavy, Timbaland, NWA, Toto and more. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full details and to listen to audio clips.
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Teaser Trailer Features Original Music by John Williams
The first teaser trailer for Episode VII in the Star Wars series, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, premiered in select theaters and online today. John Williams recorded original music for the trailer earlier this month at Sony Pictures’ scoring stage in Los Angeles. Check out the full teaser after the jump. Star Wars: The Force Awakens directed by J.J. Abrams stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker. J.J. Abrams has written the screenplay with Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back) and is also producing the Lucasfilm production with Bryan Burk and Kathleen Kennedy.
‘Paddington’ to Feature Original Song by Pharell Williams & Gwen Stefani
The Weinstein Company/Dimension announced that Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani have co-written and recorded the original song Shine for the upcoming family adventure Paddington. The song is only featured in the U.S. version of the film, which opens nationwide on January 16, 2015 and will receive an awards-qualifying release later this year. Decca Records will release a soundtrack album featuring Nick Urata’s original score, as well as the songs from the film overseas. Check out our previous article for the full album details. Paddington based on the best-selling book series by Michael Bond is directed by Paul King and stars Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington, as well as Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Nicole Kidman and Jim Broadbent.
Weekly Film Music Roundup (November 21, 2014)
Only one new movie is opening wide this weekend:
Expected to have the biggest opening of the year at the domestic box office is The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Woody Harrelson. The film’s original score is composed by James Newton Howard who previously scored the first two installments in the series. Republic Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the songs from and inspired by the film, including the original song Yellow Flicker Beat by Lorde who curated the album. Click here for the full album details. The label will also release a separate soundtrack featuring the score from the film. Check out our previous article for more information.
Opening in limited release is the drama Reach Me written and directed by John Herzfeld and starring Sylvester Stallone, Tom Berenger, Kevin Connolly, Kyra Sedgwick, Nelly, Kelsey Grammer, Cary Elwes, Terry Crews, Ryan Kwanten and Tom Sizemore. Tree Adams (Californication, Perception) has composed the film’s original score. No word on a score release. Simba Records has released an EP featuring three songs from the film by Frank Stallone. Visit Amazon to download the release and to check out audio clips. Reach Me. The movie is being released by Millennium Films. To learn more about the drama, which is also being released on VOD today, visit the official movie website.
Weekly Film Music Roundup (November 14, 2014)
Two new movies are opening nationwide this weekend:
Opening in most theaters is the comedy sequel Dumb and Dumber To directed by Peter & Bobby Farrelly and starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Kathleen Turner, Laurie Holden, Rob Riggle, Rachel Melvin and Steve Tom. The film’s original music is composed by the electronic music duo Empire of the Sun. WaterTower Music has released a soundtrack album featuring music from the duo, as well as songs by Eels, Natural Child, Lissie, Firefall, Franz Ferdinand, Jake Bugg, The Dahls and more. Check out our soundtrack announcement for the full album details and to learn more about the film.
Also opening wide is the drama Beyond the Lights written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker, Minnie Driver, Richard Colson Baker (“MGK”) and Danny Glover. Relativity Music Group has released a soundtrack album featuring the original song Grateful written by Academy Award-nominated songwriter Dianne Warren and performed by Rita Ora, as well as songs by artists including Mavado feat. Nicki Minaj, Noni feat. Kid Culprit, Birdy and Yuna. Click here for the full album details. The film’s original score is composed by Mark Isham (Crash, Once Upon a Time, A River Runs Through It). No word yet on a score release.
Stephen Oremus Named Oscar Music Director
Academy Awards producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today that Stephen Oremus was selected as music director for this season’s 87th Oscar ceremony. He will make his Oscar debut this year. Oremus has worked on such Broadway shows as Avenue Q, Wicked, All Shook Up, 9 to 5, The Book of Mormon and Kinky Boots. He earned two Tony Awards for Best Orchestration in 2011 and 2013. Oremus also served as the orchestra conductor and music director for Rufus Wainwright’s Carnegie Hall and London Palladium tributes to Judy Garland in 2006 and 2007. His feature film work includes arranging and producing New York, New York, sung by actress Carey Mulligan, for Steve McQueen’s 2011 drama Shame starring Michael Fassbender.
Mica Levi Wins European Film Award for ‘Under the Skin’
Mica Levi has been named European Composer 2014 by the European Film Academy for her score to Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin starring Scarlett Johansson. For the second time in the history of the awards, a winner in the music category (as well as 5 other categories) has been announced before the awards ceremony following a decision of the Academy Board to draw more attention to the awards recipients in these categories. Levi who is best known as a singer/songwriter for her band Micachu & The Shapes has made her film scoring debut on the film. Previous composers that were honored with the award include Alberto Iglesias, Alexandre Desplat, Ennio Morricone, Ludovic Bource and Bruno Coulais.