Review 129min Genre:       Fact-based, Drama, Music, Romance Director:     Bradley Cooper Cast:         Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Maya Hawke…and more Writers:     Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer -Synopsis- The life of acclaimed larger-than-life American conductor-composer and cultural icon Leonard Bernstein is revisited through the prism of his complicated marriage to wife and fellow artist Felicia Montealegre, as the […]

Review 158min Genre:       Drama, Music Director:     Todd Field Cast:         Cate Blanchett, Noémie Merlant, Nina Hoss…and more Writers:     Todd Field -Synopsis- Reeling from the pressure of being the first musical director of a prestigious German orchestra, a world-renown classical composer-conductor is plunged into an existential crisis when she struggles to balance the expectations of her […]

Review 116min Genre:       Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller Director:     Edgar Wright Cast:         Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith…and more Writers:     Edgar Wright and Krysty Wilson-Cairns -Synopsis- A young small town aspiring British fashion designer heads to the capital and mysteriously drifts between the present day and the swinging London of the 1960s, where she forges […]

Review 105min Genre:       Drama, Music, Musical Director:     Spike Lee Cast:         David Byrne, Angie Swan, Bobby Wooten III…and more Writers:     David Byrne -Synopsis- David Byrne gets the Spike Lee treatment as the veteran New York director captures the singular new wave star’s 2019 Broadway show in all its glory. An expertly executed minimalist concept featuring Byrne […]

Review 90min Genre:       Drama, Music Director:     Bassam Tariq Cast:         Riz Ahmed, Alyy Khan, Anjana Vasan…and more Writers:     Riz Ahmed and Bassam Tariq -Synopsis- On the brink of music superstardom and his first world tour, a British-Pakistani rapper is thwarted by an illness which threatens to derail his dreams and define his future, as his body […]

Review 118min Genre:        Comedy, Drama, Romance Director:      Shannon Murphy Cast:          Eliza Scanlen, Toby Wallace, Ben Mendelsohn…and more Writers:      Rita Kalnejais -Synopsis- The quiet but complex lives of a suburban Australian couple are thrown into turmoil when their cancer-stricken teenage daughter develops a relationship with a local petty criminal and addict, as cracks in the […]

Review 117min Genre:     Comedy, Drama, Music Director:  Gurinder Chadha Cast:       Viveik Kalra, Kulvinder Ghir, Nell Williams…and more Writers:   Paul Mayeda Berges, Gurinder Chadha and Sarfraz Manzoor -Synopsis- Struggling to fit in and find his voice in Thatcher’s austere late 1980s Britain, a British-Pakistani teen discovers a melodic beacon of hope to guide him through his […]

Review 121min Genre:       Fact-based, Drama, Music, Musical Director:    Dexter Fletcher Cast:         Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jamie Bell…and more Writers:     Lee Hall -Synopsis- A semi-fantastical chronicle of Elton John’s breakthrough years and his transformation from shy suburban London kid to global show-stopping superstar—seen through the prism of his relationships writing partner Bernie Taupin and manager […]

Review 114min Genre:       Drama, Music Director:    Brady Corbet Cast:         Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Raffey Cassidy…and more Writers:     Brady Corbet -Synopsis- Formed by tragedy and coming-of-age in extreme circumstances, a New York teenager’s unconventional rise to stardom sees her propelled to the ranks of pop superstar at the turn of this century, as she struggles to […]

Review 100min Genre:       Drama, Music Director:    Tom Harper Cast:         Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters, Sophie Okonedo…and more Writer:      Nicole Taylor -Synopsis- When a young and irrepressible but irresponsible Scottish single mother’s spirits fail to be dampened by a stint in prison, she soon gets back to pursuing an unlikely dream of becoming a Nashville country music […]

Review 118min Genre:     Fact-based, Drama, Music Director:  Jonas Åkerlund Cast:       Rory Culkin, Emory Cohen, Valter Skarsgård…and more Writers:   Dennis Magnusson, Jonas Åkerlund, Didrik Søderlind…and more -Synopsis- Norway in the late 1980s and early 90s, when a group of young outcast form a hugely influential black metal band to vent their anarchist frustrations, but as their […]

Review 134min Genre:     Fact-based, Drama, Music Director:  Bryan Singer Cast:       Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee…and more Writers:   Anthony McCarten and Peter Morgan -Synopsis- In rockin’ early 70s London, a prodigiously talented young immigrant and aspiring musician teams up with two of his fellow musicians/students and an unassuming bassist to form a wholly unique band, […]

Review 88min Genre:       Drama, Music, Romance Director:    Pawel Pawlikowski Cast:         Joanna Kulig, Tomasz Kot, Borys Szyc…and more Writers:     Pawel Pawlikowski, Janusz Glowacki and Piotr Borkowski -Synopsis- In the gloom of post-war Poland, a musician and conductor forms a renowned performance academy made up of traditional young rural folk talents, only to fall for his star […]

Review 97min Genre:     Comedy, Drama, Music Director:  Brett Haley Cast:       Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Toni Collette…and more Writers:   Brett Haley and Marc Basch -Synopsis- In a bid to connect with his teenage daughter before she leaves for college, a quirky music-loving widower convinces his girl to finally give their two-piece experimental band a chance, in […]

Review 110min Genre:       Drama, Romance Director:    Dominic Cooke Cast:         Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, Anne-Marie Duff…and more Writer:      Ian McEwan -Synopsis- Stuck in the confines of a new marriage and a British coastal honeymoon in the early 1960s, a young couple’s idyllic romance gives way to a struggle for physical connection in emotional silence, as they […]

In an ongoing effort to help aspiring filmmakers and promote independent films, particularly those struggling with distribution and releases, we periodically feature films in our ‘Indie Spotlight’ series for your consideration. Moon Dogs (2017) 93min Genre:     Comedy, Drama, Music Director:  Philip John Cast:       Jack Parry-Jones, Christy O’Donnell, Tara Lee…and more Writers:   Derek Boyle and Raymond […]

Review 108min Genre:       Drama, Music Director:    Geremy Jasper Cast:         Danielle Macdonald, Siddharth Dhananjay, Cathy Moriarty… Writer:      Geremy Jasper -Synopsis- On the rundown streets of the garden state, New Jersey youngster and unlikely aspiring rapper ‘Patricia Dombrowski’ (aka ‘Killa P’) struggles to break the bleak grip of her environment and make her dreams come true—with the […]

Review 94min Genre:       Fact-based, Drama, Music Director:    Mark Gill Cast:         Jack Lowden, Jessica Brown Findlay, Simone Kirby…and more Writers:     Mark Gill and William Thacker -Synopsis- Critical of the local music scene and disenchanted with Britain in the late 70s, a young Lancashire lad channels his writing talents and a grating personality into revolutionising popular music, […]

Review 113min Genre:       Action, Crime, Romance, Thriller Director:    Edgar Wright Cast:         Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey…and more Writer:      Edgar Wright -Synopsis- A gifted but damaged young getaway driver for a ruthless crime boss struggles to break the shackles of his criminal life, after becoming caught between a blossoming romance and his commitment to one […]

Review 136min Genre:       Comic-Book, Action, Adventure, Comedy Director:    James Gunn Cast:         Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell…and more Writers:     James Gunn, Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning… and more -Synopsis- The Galaxy’s move beloved misfits are back!, now finding themselves celebrities after saving billions from the whims of the evil ‘Ronan’, determined to keep the Galaxy safe […]

Review 117min Genre:     Drama Director:  Danny Boyle Cast:       Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller…and more Writers:   Irvine Welsh and John Hodge -Synopsis- Twenty years after taking the money and running, ‘Renton’ returns to Edinburgh to find a new purpose in life and try to make amends with former best mates ‘Sick Boy’ and ‘Spud’. […]

Review 108min Genre:     Animation, Comedy, Family, Music Directors: Christophe Lourdelet and Garth Jennings Cast:       Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane Writer:    Garth Jennings -Synopsis- With his failing family theatre threatening to go under, an enterprising Koala hatches a scheme to host a huge singing competition for the city’s animal residents. But things quickly get out […]

Review 103min Genre:      Family, Animation, Adventure, Musical Director:   Ron Clements, Don Hall, John Musker… and more Cast:        Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison…more Writers:    Jared Bush, Ron Clements, Don Hall… and more -Synopsis- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and newcomer Auli’i Cravalho star in Disney’s animated Polynesian adventure following the exploits of a bold precocious teenager […]

Review 86min Genre:       Comedy, Mockumentary, Music Directors:   Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone Cast:         Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer…and more Writers:     Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer -Synopsis- Andy Samberg stars in a satirical music “mockumentary” featuring fellow members of pop parody group “The Lonely Island”, and a host of American pop & comedy […]

Review 96min Genre:        Comedy, Mockumentary, Music Director:     Ricky Gervais Cast:          Ricky Gervais, Doc Brown, Jo Hartley…and more Writer:       Ricky Gervais -Synopsis- Ricky Gervais stars, writes and directs a comedy spin-off of his own creation ‘The Office’, as the infamous bumbling office manager tries his hand at rock stardom… of course with a camera crew […]

Writer/director Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) takes his Jazz sensibilities to Tinseltown in a musical dramedy, starring Ryan Gosling as a jazz musician who falls for Emma Stone’s aspiring young actress in L.A. Directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and J.K. Simmons among others. Genre: Comedy, Drama, Musical UK Release: 16th of November   […]

Review 106min Genre:       Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance Director:    John Carney Cast:         Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Jack Reynor, Lucy Boynton…and more Writer:      John Carney -Synopsis- In 1980s recession-hit Ireland, a teenager rebels against society’s norms and escapes family strife by forming a “New-Romantic” band to impress a girl in an 80s coming-of-age musical comedy from the director of […]

Review 117min Genre:      Comedy Director:   Richard Linklater Cast:        Blake Jenner, Glen Powell, Zoey Deutch…and more Writer:     Richard Linklater -Synopsis- Writer/director Richard Linklater gives the early 1980s American college experience his ‘Dazed and Confused’ treatment in this free-spirited coming-of-age college comedy, following the fortunes of baseball-playing frat boys as they navigate the perilous waters of college […]

Review 95min Genre:      Horror, Thriller Director:   Jeremy Saulnier Cast:        Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Patrick Stewart…and more Writer:     Jeremy Saulnier -Synopsis- A young underground punk band’s gig at a remote rural Oregon Roadhouse turns into a brutal nightmare after they witness a murder; hunted by the club’s skinhead patrons and their ruthless leader, our “heroes” struggle […]

Review 124min Genre:      Fact-based, Drama, Music Director:   Marc Abraham Cast:        Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, Cherry Jones…and more Writers:    Marc Abraham, Colin Escott -Synopsis- Tom Hiddleston stars in a musical biopic chronicling the life and times of Country & Western music legend Hank Williams, from his prodigious talent and rise to fame, to the struggles with […]

Review 110min Genre:      Fact-based, Comedy, Drama, Music Director:   Stephen Frears Cast:        Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg…and more Writer:     Nicholas Martin -Synopsis- Meryl Streep stars in a comedy/drama based on the remarkable true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, an early 20th century New York heiress and socialite who became an opera singer despite having a […]

Review 100min Genre:      Fact-based, Drama, Music Director:   Don Cheadle Cast:        Don Cheadle, Ewan McGregor, Emayatzy Corinealdi…and more Writers:    Steven Baigelman, Don Cheadle, Stephen J. Rivele… more -Synopsis- Don Cheadle writes, directs and stars in his unique cinematic portrait of jazz trumpeter and music giant Miles Davis, a stylized biographical drama about a difficult and complicated […]

Review 106min Genre:      Family, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Musical Director:   Jon Favreau Cast:        Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Idris Elba…and more Writers:    Justin Marks & Rudyard Kipling -Synopsis- Disney’s CGI-heavy 21st century version of Rudyard Kipling’s iconic story, following the fortunes of an orphan who’s raised in the jungle by his talking animal friends in this epic […]

We at FilmPhonic love a great original score, but we can’t resist wonderful visuals set to the backdrop of an often unrelated iconic classical melody that somehow works perfectly… and gives us a timeless movie moment. There are many examples but we’ve tried to pick our Top 5, what’s yours?   #5: The Marriage of […]

Review 124min Genre:      Comedy, Drama Director:   Paolo Sorrentino Cast:        Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz…and more Writer:     Paolo Sorrentino -Synopsis- In an exclusive clean-living Swiss Alpine retreat, a retired composer and his film director friend reflect on life’s loves, loss and regret, while the drama surrounding their eccentric fellow guests unfolds and a special […]

Review 95min Genre:      Comedy, Drama, Music Director:   Lenny Abrahamson Cast:        Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal Writers:    Jon Ronson & Peter Straughan -Synopsis- A young man’s mundane life in small-town Ireland is transformed when he joins a bizarre underground experimental pop band fronted by an enigmatic singer who never removes his oversized cartoon costume head, […]

Week 2 November 2015 This week we celebrate 10 of the most memorable film music scores by legendary composer Maestro Maurice Jarre, whose work ranges from ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ to ‘Jacob’s Ladder’, we have only included a small section from the main themes and strongly advise you buy the full soundtracks to enjoy them in […]

Review 147min Genre:      Fact-based, Drama, Music Director:   F. Gary Gray Cast:        O’Shea Jackson Jr., Jason Mitchell, Paul Giamatti…and more Writers:    Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berloff , Alan Wenkus … and more Gritty ghetto biopic drama chronicling the rise of rap supergroup NWA on the dangerous streets of Compton Los Angeles, from authority-resistant local gangster-rap heroes to […]

Week 3 July 2015 This week we celebrate 10 of the most memorable film music scores by Jazz musician turned legendary British composer and “sound of Bond” John Barry, whose work ranges from ‘Midnight Cowboy’ and ‘Zulu’ to ‘Goldfinger’, we have only included a small section from the main themes and strongly advise you buy […]

Review 128min Genre:    Documentary, Fact-based Director: Asif Kapadia Cast:      Amy Winehouse, Mitch Winehouse, Tony Bennett…and more From the team that gave us the unforgettable ‘Senna‘ comes a gripping and candid look at the remarkable and ultimately tragic life of British singer Amy Winehouse, featuring rarely seen home video as well as archive footage and paparazzi […]

Week 4 June 2015 This week we celebrate 10 of the most memorable film music scores by longtime Robert Zemeckis collaborator Alan Silvestri, whose work ranges from ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Forrest Gump’ to ‘The Avengers’, we have only included a small section from the main themes and strongly advise you buy the full […]

Week 2 June 2015 This week we celebrate 10 of the most memorable film music scores by Oscar-winning composer Howard Shore, frequent David Cronenberg collaborator and the musical heart of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, we have only included a small section from the main themes and strongly advise you buy the full soundtracks […]

Review 106min Genre:    Comedy, Drama Director: Dan Fogelman Cast:      Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Bobby Cannavale…and more Writer:   Dan Fogelman Danny Collins is a pop-star in the twilight of his career living comfortably and excessively on past glories whose life is changed by a long lost letter from John Lennon, the message is strong enough to […]

Week 4 May 2015 This week we celebrate 10 of the most memorable film music scores by versatile Oscar-winning composer the late Jerry Goldsmith, whose films range from Patton and Alien to The Omen, we have only included a small section from the main themes and strongly advise you buy the full soundtracks to enjoy […]