Hans Zimmer – We Are Movie Geeks

Composer Harry Gregson-Williams Talks GLADIATOR II And Listen To His “Strength and Honor” Track

Decca Records US is set to release the soundtrack to Ridley Scott’s highly-anticipated Gladiator sequel on November 15, 2024. Gladiator II: Music From The Motion Picture by composer Harry Gregson-Williams features an epic orchestral score, comprised of over 100 musicians and singers from across the globe, and meticulously crafted to accompany the blockbuster new movie starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.

The soundtrack also includes the timeless hit song “Now We Are Free” composed by Hans Zimmer for the original Gladiator film almost 25 years ago and featuring singer Lisa Gerrard.

From legendary director Ridley Scott, and a screenplay by David Scarpa, story by Peter Craig and David Scarpa, and based on characters created by David Franzoni, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Listen to the lead single “Strength and Honor” from Harry Gregson-Williams’ new Gladiator II score and pre-order the album HERE.

On scoring Gladiator II, Harry Gregson-Williams says: “My approach to the score for Gladiator II was to create music that embodied the spiritual essence of the original film whilst creating a fresh sound for Lucius and the other leading characters we encounter (such as Acacius – strong and bold – and Macrinus – scheming and calculating). Thematically, Lucius needed a very versatile melody – he is the center of the film, and his love, leadership, rage and need for vengeance all had to be reflected in his music. Beyond the large orchestra and choirs that this epic tale called for, I felt the need to employ some unique instrumentation to help shape the storytelling. Whether it was the sliding, discomforting strings of a baritone violin or electric cello to represent Macrinus’ scheming and plotting, or the primitive horns that helped place us back in Ancient Rome, special instrumentation helped bring a sense of uniqueness to these characters and places. From specially recorded vocals representing the Numidian fighters, to the esoteric and otherwordly vocals of Lisa Gerrard, all of these different unique sounds and colors were necessary to tell Lucius’ story.”

In order to create the sound world of Gladiator II, Gregson-Williams took a truly international approach; working with musicians from around the world to bring his extraordinary score to life. Having initially penned the main musical themes at his studio in Los Angeles, the composer then traveled to northern Spain to record some unusual historic instruments (such as the Carnyx and Iberian Horn) with performer Abraham Cupeiro, to bring the sound of Ancient Rome to life. In other parts of Europe he recorded soloists including singers Lisa Gerrard, Grace Davidson, Lior Attar, Antonio Lizana, Ejigayehu ‘Gigi’ Shibabaw, and Ayo Adeyemi, as well as instrumentalists Richard Harvey (Ney and Ancient Flutes), Hugh Marsh (electric violin), Martin Tillman (electric cello), Hamid Saeidi (Kantele/Santur) and Loga Ramin Torkian (GuitarViol).

Gregson-Williams returned to his native UK to record the main score with a huge orchestra, the leading independent UK chorus The Bach Choir, and the internationally renowned Viol Consort Fretwork at Abbey Road Studios – where he has recorded many scores before (including those for the The Martian, Shrek and The Chronicles of Narnia). During the session, which Gregson-Williams was conducting, Hans Zimmer appeared via video link to hear the new score being performed.

Now almost 25 years old, Zimmer’s original Gladiator score continues to be one of the most beloved and enduring soundtracks. The lead song “Now We Are Free” makes a reappearance in the new film and on the soundtrack – providing the ideal connection between both musical worlds.

Harry Gregson-Williams brings his unique compositional voice to Gladiator II – embracing the epic moments on screen with monumental musical forces, whilst also accompanying intimate moments with beautiful harmonies – this is a score which provides a stirring counterpart to Ridley Scott’s remarkable new movie. Gladiator II marks the seventh collaboration between Gregson-Williams and Ridley Scott with Gregson-Williams writing original scores for The Martian, Kingdom of Heaven, The Last Duel and House of Gucci and themes for Prometheus and Exodus: Gods and Kings.

Gladiator II: Music From The Motion Picture, is set to release on November 15, 2024. Pre-order the album via Decca Records US, HERE. Gladiator II is in theaters internationally on November 15, with the US and Canada following on November 22.

**Harry Gregson-Williams (credit Christopher Kennedy)**

Gladiator II — Tracklisting:

1. GLADIATOR II OVERTURE

2. LUCIUS, ARISHAT AND THE ROMAN INVASION

3. I’LL WAIT FOR YOU

4. OSTIA

5. ANGRY BABOONS

6. STRENGTH AND HONOR

7. ACACIUS RETURNS

8. CITY OF ROME

9. DEFIANCE

10. I SEE HIM IN YOU

11. ACACIUS IN THE COLOSSEUM

12. LET THE GODS DECIDE

13. MACRINUS’ PLAN

14. I NEED YOU TO DO THIS

15. SMOOTH IS THE DESCENT

16. NOW THAT I HAVE FOUND YOU

17. ECHOES IN ETERNITY

18. WAR, REAL WAR

19. THE DREAM IS LOST

20. NOW WE ARE FREE

Listen To “Top Gun: Maverick (Music From The Motion Picture)” Soundtrack From Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga And Hans Zimmer

Interscope Records announces the release of Music From The Motion Picture Top Gun: Maverick out today, May 27th. Available at all digital retailers, as well as CD, the soundtrack is available now. A Target exclusive CD of the soundtrack includes an exclusive cover and poster. https://www.target.com/p/various-artists-top-gun-maverick-soundtrack-target-exclusive-cd/-/A-86415827#lnk=sametab-

Arriving as one of the most anticipated blockbusters of the year from Paramount Pictures, Top Gun: Maverick arrives in theaters nationwide today.

Available here: https://topgunmaverick.lnk.to/Soundtrack

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJzLTReoSNQTCCJ3f9o4IFyEWB8HyIiJa

Earlier this month Lady Gaga revealed “Hold My Hand” as the first single to be released from the soundtrack. Produced by Gaga and BloodPop© with additional production by Benjamin Rice, the soaring anthem received widespread critical acclaim right after its release with Billboard declaring “Lady Gaga soars with “Hold My Hand,” and Vanity Fair raved the song “catapults her [Gaga] into next year’s Oscar race.”

“I Ain’t Worried” by GRAMMY® nominated band OneRepublic followed. Produced by Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle, Simon Oscroft and Tyler Spry, OneRepublic will perform “I Ain’t Worried” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:35/10:35c), tonight May 27th.

With a combination of classics from the original film, new music, and score, the album reflects Top Gun’s past, present, and future all at once. It boasts instantly recognizable cuts such as the theme song “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins, while Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller recorded a show-stopping live rendition of “Great Balls of Fire” showcased in the film and included on the record.

Plus, it features original score tracks by the movie’s composers—Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer and Academy® Award winner Lady Gaga and multiple Academy® Award winner Hans Zimmer.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer added, “This album continues the musical legacy that the original Top Gun ignited back in 1986. We are so thrilled to have Lady Gaga and OneRepublic lend their artistry towards putting a modern spin on the already iconic and beloved soundtrack.”

Making waves already, “Hold My Hand” was written for the motion picture and is featured throughout the film. The motion picture version of “Hold My Hand” features additional production and score by Lorne Balfe and Academy Award-winner Hans Zimmer. It also marks Gaga’s return to writing and producing original music for film, after the success of 2018’s A Star is Born soundtrack that earned Gaga an Academy Award, four GRAMMYs®, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and Critics’ Choice Award.

Paramount Pictures’ Top Gun: Maverick visits Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) after more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators. Maverick is where he belongs –pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of TOPGUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.

Read Jim Batts review HERE.

Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE TOP GUN: MAVERICK

Main Titles (You’ve Been Called Back to Top Gun)
Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
Darkstar
Great Balls of Fire (Live) by Miles Teller
You’re Where You Belong / Give ‘Em Hell
I Ain’t Worried by OneRepublic
Dagger One is Hit / Time to Let Go
Tally Two / What’s the Plan / F-14
The Man, the Legend / Touchdown
Penny Returns – Interlude
Hold My Hand by Lady Gaga
Top Gun Anthem

Listen To First Two Tracks From Hans Zimmer’s DUNE Soundtrack “Paul’s Dream” And “Ripples in the Sand”

WaterTower Music has announced the upcoming release of three separate album releases of music from and in celebration of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Dune,” the highly-anticipated adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal bestselling book from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival,” “Blade Runner 2049”). The film is scheduled to open around the world beginning September 15, and in the U.S. on October 22 in theaters and in the U.S. on HBO Max. All three albums feature the music of legendary composer Hans Zimmer.

Fans won’t have to wait for those album releases to hear music though, as Zimmer, a lifelong Dune fan, has authorized today’s release of two tracks:

LISTEN: “Paul’s Dream,” which is included on the album The Dune Sketchbook (Music from the Soundtrack)

LISTEN: “Ripples in the Sand” which is included on the album Dune (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5NPENYJdwcFMwMBlwyfw32?si=MoYV2MWsTBGlYKAN7li1AQ&dl_branch=1&nd=1

The album release schedule is as follows:

September 3rd will see the release of the digital album The Dune Sketchbook (Music from the Soundtrack), which is comprised of extended, immersive musical explorations of the “Dune” film score. Of significant note is that this album will be released in both Standard and Dolby Atmos Music configurations, and marks Zimmer’s first soundtrack released in Dolby Atmos Music – a listening technology he has wholeheartedly embraced for the music of “Dune.”

September 17th brings the digital album release of Dune (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), which will feature the iconic composer’s “Dune” film score. It, too, will be released in both Standard and Dolby Atmos Music configurations.

October 22nd is the digital release date for The Art and Soul of Dune, which is the companion soundtrack to the book of the same title, offering uniquely crafted versions of the film’s main themes curated by Zimmer to accompany the reader on their journey through this visually dazzling book, which was written by the film’s executive producer Tanya Lapointe and offers unparalleled insight and exploration into the film.

Knowing that Herbert’s novel was as much of a passion of Zimmer’s as it was his, “Dune” filmmaker Denis Villeneuve had hoped from the start to reunite with the celebrated composer, who collaborated with him on “Blade Runner 2049,” on this film and the two instantly bonded over it. “We agreed that the music would need to have a spirituality to it… a sanctified quality,” explained Villeneuve. “Something that would elevate the soul and have the effect that only sacred music can. And I believe that is firmly present in Hans’ score.”

Zimmer, who calls Villeneuve “one of the greats,” described their collaboration on the project. “I absolutely love working with Denis. He has an incredible imagination and offers so much heart and soul within the complexity of making a film of this magnitude, and our aesthetic is very comparable. Dune has always been very close to both of our hearts. The task was to figure out how we were going to interpret something we truly loved and admired, and invite the audience to come and have their own personal experience. That was, for us, the reason to make this film.”

“Hans spent months and months creating new instruments, defining, creating, and seeking new sounds, pushing the envelope.” Villeneuve added.

Indeed Zimmer took the approach that, since Dune was a different civilization, he would invent instruments to accompany that concept. One thing the two felt would hold true to any civilization, though, was the power of the human voice. “Denis and I agreed that the female characters in the film drive the story,” explained the composer. “So the score is based on mainly female voices. We developed our own language. The musicianship is extraordinary, and this is not your normal orchestral score.”

“It was absolutely beautiful,” Villeneuve stated, adding that, with respect to the additional two albums, “But then he continued to write music even when the movie was finished! He was still inspired and went on writing.”

On releasing his first Dolby Atmos Music soundtrack, Zimmer elaborated. “I was inspired to look at this music in a different way and to take the audience on of journey beyond the movie. To fully showcase these unique sounds and this soundtrack, I felt it must be available via an immersive technology that utilizes spatial audio. So, it was decided to deliver it in Dolby Atmos.”

Dolby Atmos Music goes beyond the ordinary listening experience and puts you inside the song in a spatial way, via a listener’s enabled headphones, revealing every detail of the music with unparalleled clarity and depth, so sounds seemingly come from all around a listener, similar to the audio experience of a cinema.

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Oscar® nominee Denis Villeneuve directed Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ Dune. The film stars Oscar® nominee Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Oscar® nominee Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, Chang Chen, David Dastmalchian, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, with Oscar® nominee Charlotte Rampling, with Jason Momoa, and Oscar® winner Javier Bardem. Villeneuve directed Dune from a screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Villeneuve and Eric Roth, based on the novel of the same name written by Frank Herbert. The film’s producers were Mary Parent, Villeneuve, Cale Boyter and Joe Caracciolo, Jr. The executive producers were Tanya Lapointe, Joshua Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert, with Kevin J. Anderson as special consultant. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present a Legendary Pictures Production, a Film by Denis Villeneuve, Dune.

The film is slated to be released worldwide this fall, in theaters from 15 September internationally and in the U.S. on October 22 in theaters and in the U.S. on HBO Max; it will be available on HBO Max in the Ad-Free plan for 31 days from theatrical release. The film has been rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing images and suggestive material.

DreamWorks Animation in Concert with The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra December 29th and 30th

Universal Brand Development and CineConcerts, along with The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, announce DreamWorks Animation in Concert engagements at Powell Hall on December 29, 2017 at 7:00pm and December 30, 2017 at 7:00pm. The concert features favorite moments from DreamWorks’ most beloved films including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and many more with music performed by The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Enjoy a celebration of more than 20 years of inspired animation and iconic music scores by Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell, Alexandre Desplat, Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman and many others. The audience will relive their favorite moments from DreamWorks most celebrated films including,Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, and more, as they are projected in HD onto the big screen, while the music is played live by a symphony orchestra.

Tickets can be purchased HERE or by calling the SLSO box office at 314-534-1700.

DreamWorks Animation in Concert is sponsored by Macy’s.

About CineConcerts

CineConcerts is one of the leading producers of live music experiences performed with visual media. Founded by Producer/Conductor Justin Freer and Producer/Writer Brady Beaubien, CineConcerts has engaged millions of people worldwide in concert presentations that redefine the evolution of live experience. Recent and current live concert experiences include The Harry Potter Film Concert Series, Gladiator Live, The Godfather Live, It’s a Wonderful Life in Concert, DreamWorks Animation In Concert, Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage 50^th Anniversary Concert Tour, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s in Concert. Justin Freer has quickly become one of the most sought-after conductors of film music with a long list of full symphonic live to projection projects. He has appeared with some of the world’s leading orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. From full-length movie screenings with live orchestra to music-interactive sporting event experiences to original 3D-environment holiday programming, CineConcerts is at the forefront of live entertainment.

About Universal Brand Development

Universal Brand Development globally drives expansion of the company’s intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, content, and consumer experiences. Along with franchise brand management, Universal Brand Development’s core businesses include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, and Live Entertainment based on the company’s extensive portfolio of intellectual properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation, and NBCUniversal cable and television. Universal Brand Development is a business segment of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, and part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA).

About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1880 and now in its 138th season, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country and widely considered one of the world’s finest. Under the leadership of Music Director David Robertson, currently in his 13thseason, the SLSO strives for artistic excellence, educational impact and community connection while meeting its mission statement: enriching people’s lives through the power of music. The SLSO presents a full season of classical programs and Live at Powell Hall concerts and hundreds of free education and community programs each year. Media partners include St. Louis Public Radio, 90.7 –KWMU, which broadcasts the SLSO’s Saturday night subscription concerts live and the Nine Network, which regularly features SLSO performances on its Night at the Symphony program. In addition, the SLSO is known for its Grammy Award-winning recordings, Carnegie Hall appearances, national and international tours, innovative programming, and extensive community engagement initiatives. www.slso.org

Jon Favreau’s THE LION KING Cast Features Beyonce, Alfre Woodard, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen and John Oliver

The all-star lineup for director Jon Favreau’s new take on Disney’s 1994 classic animated film THE LION KING includes stars from the film, TV, theater and music arenas. Featuring pioneering filmmaking techniques, the film welcomes back to the big screen iconic characters that audiences have long treasured—but in a whole new way.

From Disney Live Action, THE LION KING is slated for U.S. theaters on July 19, 2019.

“It is a director’s dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” said Favreau.

Lions rule the African savanna in THE LION KING which welcomes Donald Glover (“Atlanta,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story”) as future king Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (“Dreamgirls,” “Lemonade” visual album) as Simba’s friend-turned-love interest Nala, and James Earl Jones (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Field of Dreams”) as Simba’s wise and loving father, Mufasa, reprising his iconic performance from Disney’s 1994 animated classic. Chiwetel Ejiofor (“Twelve Years a Slave,” Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange”) was called on to portray Simba’s villainous uncle Scar, and Alfre Woodard (“Juanita,” Marvel’s “Luke Cage”) portrays Simba’s no-nonsense mother, Sarabi. JD McCrary (OWN’s “Tyler Perry’s The Paynes,” Apple’s “Vital Signs”) fills the shoes of Young Simba, a confident cub who can’t wait to be king, and Shahadi Wright Joseph (NBC’s “Hairspray Live,” Broadway’s “The Lion King”) brings tough cub Young Nala to life.

Every kingdom comes with a trustworthy advisor or two. John Kani (“Coriolanus,” Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War”) was cast as the wise baboon Rafiki, and John Oliver (HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”) was tapped as hornbill Zazu, Mufasa’s loyal confidant. When Simba goes into exile, he relies on two newfound friends—Seth Rogen (“Sausage Party,” “Neighbors”) lends his comedic chops to naïve warthog Pumbaa, and Billy Eichner (“Billy on the Street,” FX’s “American Horror Story”) joins the cast as know-it-all meerkat Timon.

While most of the animals in the kingdom respect the king, the hyenas have other plans. Florence Kasumba (NBC’s “Emerald City,” Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther”) portrays Shenzi, Eric André (Adult Swim’s “The Eric André Show,” FXX’s “Man Seeking Woman”) is Azizi, and Keegan-Michael Key (“Predator,” Netflix’s “Friends from College”) plays Kamari.

Meet the cast of a new take on #TheLionKing. 🦁 pic.twitter.com/lUpBi9vNnt

— Disney (@Disney) November 2, 2017

THE LION KING is directed by Favreau (“The Jungle Book,” Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man”) and produced by Favreau, Jeffrey Silver (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Edge of Tomorrow”) and Karen Gilchrist (“The Jungle Book,” “Chef”). Jeff Nathanson (“Catch Me If You Can,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”) penned the screenplay based on the 1994 screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton. Tom Peitzman (co-producer “Kong: Skull Island,” “Alice in Wonderland”) and Thomas Schumacher (“The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast”) are executive producers, and John Bartnicki (“The Jungle Book,” “Chef”) is co-producer.

The award-winning team of artists tapped to bring the African savanna and its animal inhabitants to life include visual effects supervisor Rob Legato, who conceived the virtual production on “Avatar,” won Academy Awards® for his work on “The Jungle Book,” “Hugo” and “Titanic,” and was nominated for an Oscar® for his work on “Apollo 13.”

The film’s animation supervisor is Oscar®-winner Andrew R. Jones (“The Jungle Book,” “Avatar,” “World War Z”). VFX supervisor is Adam Valdez (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”), who won an Oscar for his work on “The Jungle Book.” Five-time Oscar nominee Caleb Deschanel, ASC, (“Jack Reacher,” “The Patriot”), is director of photography, and James Chinlund (“War for the Planet of the Apes,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”) serves as the production designer. Oscar winner Ben Grossman (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Hugo,” “Star Trek into Darkness”) is virtual production supervisor, and Mark Livolsi, ACE, (“The Jungle Book,” “Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Blind Side”) and Adam Gerstel (“Transformers: The Last Knight,” “The Jungle Book”) are editors. Hans Zimmer (“Dunkirk,” “Hidden Figures”), who won an Oscar for his score for the animated classic, will score the adventure.

From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new THE LION KING journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Billy Eichner as Timon and Seth Rogen as Pumbaa. Utilizing pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way, THE LION KING roars into theaters on July 19, 2019.

DUNKIRK – Review

Sometimes when you have been through hell and back, there isn’t anything you can say to properly convey the emotions and the experience. Without saying much, Christopher Nolan tries to express the raw emotions of war by dropping the viewer into the scenario as opposed to explaining the how and the why of the situation. Because at the end of the day, the brave soldiers at the frontlines aren’t given a suitable reason or explanation to justify possible death. Their instincts kick in and they have to fight to survive.

DUNKIRK is an emotional experiment forcing the viewer to connect with characters with little backstory or dialogue. In fact, the majority of the film is soldiers silently fighting towards a way out. The importance of time is crucial – so much so that the film opens with information placing how long each of the storylines takes place. Nolan and editor Lee Smith (who has worked with the writer/director since BATMAN BEGINS) then intercuts these stories, placing the intensity of a British Spitfire pilot (Tom Hardy) with that of the men he’s trying to protect on the ground who are looking to find a safe ship to get off the beach (newcomer Fionn Whitehead and singer Harry Styles – a decision that shows how no one was immune to the war’s call). All the while, the demand for more ships to rescue 400,000 men makes its way back home. British civilian boats set off to rescue the boys, one of which is led by Oscar nominee Mark Rylance. These three stories make up the by air, land, and sea trifecta.

Nolan is a filmmaker that doesn’t exude style necessarily. He’s not an auteur in the modern sense. He’s a traditionalist who embraces the mechanics of filmmaking with dedicated technical prowess. His use of the IMAX and 70mm format has been revolutionary in combating film piracy, while also delivering on a promise to fans of cinema. He wants you to see his film on the biggest screen possible and backs up his demand with sights that haven’t previously been seen in any other war film.

He’s always been a filmmaker obsessed with spectacle. From a hallway where the laws of gravity don’t exist in INCEPTION; to an 18-wheeler doing a somersault in the middle of the road in THE DARK KNIGHT; to the Batmobile jumping between rooftops in BATMAN BEGINS. Oftentimes, many think of Nolan as leaning heavily on the darker, dramatic side. However, I think of him more as a showman. With each film, he pushes himself to become the greatest showmen on earth. DUNKIRK solidifies this yet again with aerial dogfights unlike any we’ve seen in cinema before. The way the camera captures these planes in motion is breathtaking. The scope, simply put, is unparalleled. The 400,000 soldiers look like ants on this wide open beach while highlighting the magnitude of this impossible feat. To say that DUNKIRK is a technical marvel is an understatement.

The camerawork is punctuated with a sound design and score that lends a pulse to every frame. Hans Zimmer injects a ticking clock motif into the music, ratcheting the tension of each of the three stories and making the 106-minute runtime fly by.

Aside from all the film magic at work, Nolan strives to make it about the people and what they had to endure. As was previously mentioned, he attempts to do this with very little dialogue – apparently the script is only 75 pages. Newcomer Fionn Whitehead delivers on the challenge. It’s not easy to stand out from the herd of almost entirely dark, shaggy-haired boys, but Whitehead shines with a slight twinkle in his emotive eyes. You don’t entirely see the desperation in his eyes, but you see his determination that the physical role demands. Surprisingly, Harry Styles more than holds his own. However, if I wasn’t familiar with his recent pop hits (thanks in large part to SNL), I’m not sure he would stand out among the seemingly identical group of British soldiers that all breathe life into their roles.

Ironically, these identical soldiers are also facing a threat without distinction. These young Brits face off against a faceless enemy. You see, Nolan doesn’t ever show us the “evil Germans” we often see in films of this like. The fear of the enemy is always felt, but their faces are never shown. Large youthful eyes illuminate the desperation and danger they face – not the camera.

Placing an unknown, outside pressure as the enemy adds a level of ambiguity that ultimately makes the film feel less like a WWII and more like a film outside the specific 1940 timeline. This, of course, is interesting since the film is clearly obsessed with the idea of time. Between this and the lack of backstory surrounding the event and the characters, DUNKIRK comes across as an interesting experiment (especially given the summer movie marketing). While some might be hoping for more from the story, perhaps Nolan is actually saying much more amid the cacophony of racing hearts, plane engines, bullet-riddled metal, and silent soldiers looking for hope as the waves and bombs crash against the beach.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

DUNKIRK opens everywhere July 21^st

Hans Zimmer Soundtrack For DUNKIRK Available On July 21

WaterTower Music has announced the details of the soundtrack to acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s epic action thriller DUNKIRK. The album features an original score by Academy-, Golden Globe-, and Grammy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, who previously collaborated with Nolan on the director’s Interstellar, Inception, and The Dark Knight Trilogy.

The soundtrack will be released both digitally and on CD on the same date that the film is in theatres, July 21. It features a powerful and unique score unlike anything produced before by this formidable and inspired artistic pairing.

“Dunkirk is one of the greatest suspense stories of all time, and our film needed a score to reflect that and to propel the audience through a telling of this story that is more thriller than war film,” explained Christopher Nolan. “Hans’s unique score drives the visceral sense of action the film needs to put the audience right into the story, using images, sound and music.”

The Dunkirk: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be available July 21, and is now available for pre-order.

The track listing is as follows:

The Mole
We Need Our Army Back
Shivering Soldier
Supermarine
The Tide
Regimental Brothers
Impulse
Home
The Oil
Variation 15 (Dunkirk)
End Titles

From filmmaker Christopher Nolan comes the epic action thriller Dunkirk. Nolan directed Dunkirk from his own original screenplay, utilizing a mixture of IMAX and 65mm film to bring the story to the screen.

Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.

The film’s ensemble cast includes Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D’Arcy and Barry Keoghan, with Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy.

The film was produced by Nolan and Emma Thomas, with Jake Myers serving as executive producer.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Syncopy Production a film by Christopher Nolan, DUNKIRK. Opening worldwide starting , the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

This film has been rated PG-13 for intense war experience and some language.

Dunkirkmovie.com

Composers Hans Zimmer, Rupert Gregson- Williams Head To Synchron Stage Vienna To Record Scores

Synchron Stage Vienna, a brand-new scoring stage and post-production facility, reopened in the City of Music merging the historic building with cutting-edge technology, making it a unique and one-of-a-kind recording studio.

Early March, Remote Control Productions chose Synchron Stage Vienna to record music for the upcoming Ron Howard directed feature “Inferno” (score by Hans Zimmer) and for the new Netflix series “The Crown” (score by Hans Zimmer and Rupert Gregson- Williams), created by Peter Morgan (“The Queen”). The Synchron Stage Orchestra was conducted by Johannes Vogel.

Rupert Gregson-Williams, Peter Morgan, Julian Jarrold c Heinz Zeggl

One of the world’s leading virtual instrument and sample library companies, Vienna Symphonic Library, took the initiative to renovate the landmark and upgraded the interior, providing a world class recording facility. Located in the Austrian capital, the complex offers state-of-the-art recording technology, superior acoustics, and a unique integration of VSL’s award-winning software applications such as Vienna MIR PRO. The musicians were hand-selected from Vienna’s outstanding pool of talent. Clients have the possibility to record with a small chamber orchestra to full symphony and also augment with virtual instruments.

Herb Tucmandl, CEO and Founder of Vienna Symphonic Library, identified the need for a hybrid studio some years ago – one that would provide uncompromising orchestral recording facilities, yet was flexible enough to accommodate all modern production approaches. Tucmandl eventually purchased the original 1940s stage that had been neglected for some time. “We could not have built a building this size from scratch,” comments Tucmandl. “We were lucky that it became available at the same time we were looking.”

The studio features a substantial, original, room-in-room construction with a three meter gap all the way around the central 540 square meter Stage A, which can accommodate orchestras up to 130 musicians. “It sounds really open,” notes Bernd Mazagg, Technical Director & Chief Audio Engineer at Synchron Stage Vienna. “I think it’s one of the best rooms in the world.”

Additional studio and office facilities surround that central stage, including the 80 square meter ‘B’ live room, Control Rooms A and B, production lounges and facilities, and offices. A DANTE network connects every room to every other room so that every audio channel is available anywhere in the facility.

There is also a temperature-controlled basement instrument storage area with direct elevator access to the main stage. The air quality and temperature is the same in the studios as it is in the instrument storage spaces (for pianos and percussion), so that all the instruments are in perfect condition at all times and can be selected for recording immediately. On top of this, the ventilation is absolutely noise-free, therefore recordings are not affected by its operation. The pianos available are a Steinway D-274, a Bösendorfer 290 Imperial with CEUS reproducing system, and a Yamaha DCFX Disklavier will be available in November 2016.

Initial recordings at the facility were undertaken with a full orchestra conducted by famed orchestrator, Conrad Pope and mixed by the legendary scoring engineer Dennis Sands. Additional influential film music personalities have visited the stage and experienced its splendor including James Newton Howard, Robert Townsend of Varèse Sarabande Records, and Richard Bellis.

In a recent interview Dennis Sands said: “It’s incredible… The sound translates so well into this space. It’s very smooth and open… And it sounds good no matter where you are… Truly a world class facility… Certainly one of the best rooms in the world, there’s no question.”

Listen To New Track From Junkie XL’s BATMAN V SUPERMAN: JUSTICE LEAGUE Score

WaterTower Music has released a 90 second sample track titled “Men Are Still Good (The Batman Suite)” from Zack Snyder’s upcoming film, BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE.

In case you missed the first track released, listen to it below.

WaterTower Music has announced the March 18 release of the soundtrack to the upcoming feature film BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, a collaborative effort by film composers Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL (aka Tom Holkenborg).

Available digitally, on CD, 2-disc deluxe CD, and on Limited Edition 3-disc deluxe vinyl. The album is available for preorder now. The 2-CD deluxe package, the digital deluxe version, and the 3-disc deluxe vinyl set feature over 90 minutes of music, five bonus tracks, and exclusive fold-out poster and liner notes from the composers. Additionally, the vinyl set features etched vinyl art and an album download card.

“Junkie XL is an incredibly insightful film composer. It was a perfect idea for us to work together on the ‘Batman v Superman’ score,” explained Academy-Award-winning composer Zimmer. Grammy nominee Junkie XL showed equal excitement at the pairing, saying, “Hans has an incredible legacy, and I was extremely thrilled when he approached me to work on ‘Batman v Superman’ with him.”

The composers discussed their close working relationship with director Zack Snyder. “Zack allows us to try things we haven’t tried before. He’s very supportive of the eccentricities that we bring to this,” says Zimmer. Junkie XL concurred. “He’s very open and accepting of our ideas, and infuses the creative process with an energy that inspires you.”

“Hans and Tom (Junkie XL) created an incredibly compelling and interesting new musical world for Batman, while continuing to expand on the amazing world and themes Hans had previously created for Superman,” noted director Zack Snyder. “By aligning their vision with my perspective and seeing the characters anew through the lens of the film they were able to support the visual aspects of movie in a way that elevates the film to another level. In so many ways, they become the final texture, the final note in the process of creating the world.”

“This electrifying collaboration brings us such brilliant new character themes,”
commented WaterTower Music head Jason Linn, “While we’ve been fortunate to work several times with both composers individually, this experience has been uniquely thrilling.”

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released March 18. It is now available for pre-order at iTunes, at Amazon, and can be preordered on Vinyl. The tracklist is as follows:

Beautiful Lie
Their War Here
The Red Capes Are Coming
Day Of The Dead
Must There Be A Superman?
New Rules
Do You Bleed?
Problems Up Here
Black and Blue
Tuesday
Is She With You?
This Is My World
Men Are Still Good (The Batman Suite)
Blood Of My Blood (Bonus Track)**
Vigilante (Bonus Track)**
May I Help You, Mr. Wayne? (Bonus Track)**
They Were Hunters (Bonus Track)**
Fight Night (Bonus Track)**

** On deluxe versions only

From director Zack Snyder comes BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, starring Oscar winner Ben Affleck (“Argo”) as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent in the characters’ first big-screen pairing.

The film also stars Oscar nominees Amy Adams (“American Hustle”) as Lois Lane, Jesse Eisenberg (“The Social Network”) as Lex Luthor, Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) as Martha Kent, and Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as Perry White; Oscar winners Jeremy Irons (“Reversal of Fortune”) as Alfred, and Holly Hunter (“The Piano”) as Senator Finch; and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. Snyder directed from a screenplay written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer, based on characters from DC Comics, including Batman, created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, and Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film is produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder, with Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer serving as executive producers.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual production, a Zack Snyder film, BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film opens nationwide in RealD 3D, and in 2D, and in select IMAX 3D theaters on March 25, 2016.

It has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality.

batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.com

Listen To A Sample Track From The BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Score

WaterTower Music has announced the March 18 release of the soundtrack to the upcoming feature film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” a collaborative effort by film composers Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL (aka Tom Holkenborg).

Available digitally, on CD, 2-disc deluxe CD, and on Limited Edition 3-disc deluxe vinyl, the first public sample of the music has been made available HERE, and the album is now available for preorder.

The 2-CD deluxe package, the digital deluxe version, and the 3-disc deluxe vinyl set feature over 90 minutes of music, five bonus tracks, an exclusive fold-out poster and liner notes from the composers. Additionally, the vinyl set features etched vinyl art and an album download card.

** On deluxe versions only

From director Zack Snyder comes “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” starring Oscar winner Ben Affleck (“Argo”) as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent in the characters’ first big-screen pairing.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual production, a Zack Snyder film, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film opens nationwide in RealD 3D, and in 2D, and in select IMAX 3D theaters on March 25, 2016. It has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality.

batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.com

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