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.
This past Saturday night, film music record label Varèse Sarabande hosted their 35th Anniversary Halloween Concert Gala at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, California. The concert was hosted and produced by Robert Townson and performed by the Golden State Pops Orchestra (GSPO) and Chorale. Highlights included a suite from the comic book film adaptation of Ghost Rider, which Golden Globe-nominated composer Christopher Young (The Shipping News, Spider-Man 3) arranged specifically for the concert and which featured a full orchestra, chorus and a heavy metal band led by Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo. The performance was received with a standing ovation by the audience. Additionally, Oscar nominee Marco Beltrami (3:10 to Yuma, World War Z) made his concert conducting debut with a suite of his scores for Alex Proyas’ I, Robot and Knowing, as well as Guillermo del Toro’s Mimic and Hellboy. 
Randy Edelman has been tapped to score the upcoming family comedy A Friggin’ Christmas Miracle. The film is directed by Tristram Shapeero (Community) and stars Joel McHale, Lauren Graham, Robin Williams, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Clark Duke and Candice Bergen. The movie follows a family man who takes his wifeand son to visit his family for Christmas. When they arrive, he realizes he’s left his son’s presents at home. Phil Johnston (Cedar Rapids, Wreck-It-Ralph) has written the screenplay. Tom Rice (The Way Way Back) is producing the project for Sycamore Pictures, alongside Joe and Anthony Russo (You, Me and Dupree, Captain America: The Winter Soldier). 