Two new movies are opening wide this weekend:
Opening in most theaters is the fantasy epic The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug directed by Peter Jackson and starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Evangeline Lilly, John Bell and Jed Brophy. The film’s original music is composed by Howard Shore. WaterTower Music has released the composer’s score in two different versions. For the full details of both the regular and deluxe edition, visit our previous article. Included on both versions is the end credits song I See Fire written and performed by Ed Sheera. Click here to listen to audio clips from the soundtrack.
Also opening wide is the comedy Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas written, directed and produced by Perry who also stars in the film alongside Chad Michael Murray, Larry the Cable Guy, Kathy Najimy, Eric Lively, Alicia Witt, Lisa Whelchel, JR Lemon and Noah Urrea. Christopher Young (Spider-Man 3, The Shipping News) who also scored Perry’s upcoming Single Moms Club has composed the film’s original music. Lionsgate and Motown Records have released a soundtrack album featuring the film’s songs by artists including including Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, James Brown, the Jackson 5, Boyz II Men & Brian McKnight and Ashanti. For the full album details, check out our soundtrack announcement.
Thomas Newman will be honored with the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing at the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF). The composer will be receiving his award for his music for John Lee Hancock’s 
Walt Disney Records will release the official soundtrack album for the upcoming drama Saving Mr. Banks. The album features the film’s original score composed by Thomas Newman (American Beauty, The Shawshank Redemption, Finding Nemo). Also included are the songs featured in the film performed by the film’s cast from Disney’s classic film Marry Poppins composed by the movie’s music consultant Richard Sherman and Robert Sherman. The soundtrack will be released as a regular edition and 2-CD deluxe edition, which features a number of demos and original songs from Mary Poppins on December 10, 2013. To pre-order the deluxe edition, visit 