Guaranteed to top the weekend box office is Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy directed by James Gunn and starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close and Benicio del Toro. The film’s original music is composed by Tyler Bates (300, Watchmen). Hollywood Records has released three different soundtracks for the film, including Awesome Mix Vol. 1 feat. the songs from the film and a score album featuring Bates’ music, as well as a deluxe edition featuring both albums. For recent interviews with Bates about his work on the film, visit Film Music Magazine, We Are Movie Geeks, Hitfix and YouTube.
Also opening wide is the biographical drama Get On Up: The James Brown Story directed by Tate Taylor and stars Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Nelsan Ellis, Lennie James, Tika Sumpter, Jill Scott and Dan Aykroyd. Polydor/Universal Music has released a soundtrack album featuring studio and standout live versions of numerous soul/funk hits by James Brown as featured in the film. Check out our previous news article for the full album details. The movie’s original score is composed by Thomas Newman (American Beauty, The Shawshank Redemption) who previously collaborated with Taylor on 2011’s The Help.
Thomas Newman is composing the theme for the upcoming Showtime original documentary series Years of Living Dangerously. Richard Marvin is providing the score for the show, which will explore the effects of climate change in different parts of the world. The environmental docu-series will feature appearances by Matt Damon, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harrison Ford, Jessica Alba, Don Cheadle, America Ferrera, Michael C. Hall, Olivia Munn, Chris Hayes, Dr. M. Sanjayan and Ian Somerhalder. James Cameron is executive producing the project with Jerry Weintraub, Schwarzenegger, Emmy-winning producers Joel Bach & David Gelber (60 Minutes) and climate expert Daniel Abbasi.
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 
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 
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