Four new movies are opening in wide release this weekend:
Expected to top the weekend box office is the drama The Butler starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber and Robin Williams. The film’s original music is composed by Rodrigo Leão (Lisbon Story). Verve International has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score earlier this year. For the full album details and to listen to audio clips, check out our soundtrack announcement.
Also opening wide is the superhero action comedy sequel Kick-Ass 2 directed by Jeff Wadlow and starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Jim Carrey, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Donald Faison, Clark Duke, John Leguizamo and Morris Chestnut. Sony Classical has released a soundtrack album featuring the film’s songs by artists (click here for the full details and audio clips). The film’s original score is composed by Henry Jackman (X-Men: First Class) and Matthew Margeson (Skyline). La-La Land Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the score digitally earlier this week. Check out our previous article for audio clips and more information. For recent interviews with Margeson about his work on the film, visit Film Music Magazine, Comic Book Therapy and Reel Film News.
Madison Gate Records has released a soundtrack album for the romantic comedy Austenland. The album features the film’s original score composed by Ilan Eshkeri (Stardust, Layer Cake, The Young Victoria), as well as the movie’s original songs by Emmy the Great. The soundtrack is now available to download on 
Opening in most theaters is the animated feature Planes directed by Klay Hall and featuring a voice cast including Dane Cook, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Cedric the Entertainer, Val Kilmer, John Cleese, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett and Teri Hatcher. The film’s original music is composed by Mark Mancina (Tarzan, Speed Twister). Walt Disney Records has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s score, as well as original songs by Mark Holman, Chris Classic & Alana D and Jon Stevens of The Dead Daisies. Check out 
Also opening in wide release is the sci-fi action film Elysium written and directed by Neil Blomkamp and starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Wagner Moura, Alice Braga, William Fichtner, Diego Luna and Carly Pope. The film’s original score is composed by Ryan Amon. Varese Sarabande has released a soundtrack album featuring the composer’s music. Check out 
Rhino Records will release a soundtrack album for the comedy Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. The album features the music from the film, including a track from Philip Glass’ Koyaanisqatsi, The Police’s Roxanne, Shirley Bassey’s Goldfinger, Bryan Ferry’s Let’s Stick Together, Sparks’ The Number One Song in Heaven and Hot Chocolate’s It Started With a Kiss. Also featured is one track from the film’s original score composed by Ilan Eshkeri (Stardust, The Young Victoria). The soundtrack will be released in the UK on August 5, 2013 and is now available for pre-order as an import on 
Ilan Eshkeri has taken over scoring duties on the upcoming 3D martial arts fantasy adventure 47 Ronin. The movie is directed by Carl Rinsch and stars Keanu Reeves, as well as Japanese actors Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, and Kou Shibasaki. Chris Morgan (Fast Five) and Hossein Amini (Drive) have written the screenplay for the film, which follows the 47 Ronin, a band of samurai swordsmen who avenge the death of their master in 18th century Japan. Scott Stuber (Ted, Identity Thief), Eric McLeod (Mr. & Mrs. Smith) and Pamela Abdy (Garden State) are producing the project. Eshkeri is replacing Javier Navarrete (Pan’s Labyrinth, Wrath of the Titans) 
According to the film’s first full trailer, Ilan Eshkeri is the composer of the upcoming British comedy Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. The film is directed by Declan Lowne and and stars Steve Coogan in the title role, alongside Colm Meaney, Sean Pertwee, Anna Maxwell Martin, Nigel Lindsay, Felicity Montagu, Simon Greenall and Phil Cornwell. The movie follows the fictional radio and television presenter as he tries to salvage his public career while negotiating a potentially violent turn of events at North Norfolk Digital Radio. Coogan co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Baynham (Borat, Hotel Transylvania), Armando Iannucci (In the Loop, Veep), Neil and Rob Gibbons co-wrote the screenplay and Kevin Loader (Hyde Park on Hudson, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin) and Henry Normal are producing the project. 
