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New movies 2014: the best films throughout the year
It looks like 2014 is going to be a great one for cinema with some of movie music’s biggest names coming up with brilliant new scores. If you love Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Howard Shore and Alexandre Desplat, then you are in for an exciting year.
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1. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
The life of Nelson Mandela - from childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Idris 'Luther' Elba stars and Alex 'Last King of Scotland' Heffes provides the stirring score. Released 3 January.
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2. The Railway Man
Based on a true story, Colin Firth plays a World War II veteran who built the 'Death Railway', setting out to find his torturers. The soundtrack comes from Australian David Hirschfelder, composer of 'Shine' and 'Elizabeth'. Released 10 January.
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3. 12 Years a Slave
British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery. Hans Zimmer's first new score of the year is eagerly awaited. Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt and Benedict Cumberbatch co-star. Released 10 January.
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4. August: Osage County
'Brokeback Mountain' composer Gustavo Santaolalla is sure to come up with something authentically touching for this saga about strong-willed women brought back together to face a family crisis. Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts star. Oh, and there's Benedict Cumberbatch again. Released 24 January.
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5. The Invisible Woman
Ralph Fiennes plays the great author, Charles Dickens, as he meets a younger woman who becomes his secret lover. Ilan Eshkeri, composer of 'Stardust', provides the score. Released 7 February.
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6. The Book Thief
Legendary master of movie music John Williams is still in business with the score for this adaptation of the best-selling novel. Set in World War II Germany, it's the story a young girl who steals books to share them with others. Released 14 February.
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7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
The always reliably quirky Wes Anderson directs Ralph Fiennes and Saoirse Ronan with an A-list supporting cast in the adventures of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars. The music by Alexandre Desplat should be suitably continental and sophisticated. Released 7 March.
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8. Muppets Most Wanted
Christophe Beck did a great job for the Muppets' last cinematic outing in 2011. He provides the music for Kermit and Co's latest caper - ably supported this time by real life actors Tom Hiddleston, Ricky Gervais and Lady Gaga! Released 28 March.
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9. Noah
Composer Clint Mansell reunites with director Darren Aronofsky for this truly epic take on the Old Testament flood saga. Russell Crowe is Noah, naturally. Released 28 March.
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10. The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Hans Zimmer swings back into action by teaming up with 'Get Lucky' singer Pharrell Williams to provide the rip-roaring score for the webslinger's latest caper. Released 18 April.
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11. Transcendence
Johnny Depp plays a terminally ill scientist who downloads his body into a computer, granting him power beyond his wildest dreams! Mychael Danna, who won an Oscar for scoring 'Life of Pi', has written the music. Released 25 April.
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12. Postman Pat
Featuring the voices of David Tennant and Rupert Grint, this full length movie starring the well-loved postie also has music by Rupert Gregson-Williams - who has come a long way since 'Hotel Rwanda'. Released 23 May.
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13. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Michael Giacchino takes the scoring role from Patrick Doyle for this latest episode in the Planet of the Apes saga in which Andy Serkis monkeys around as Caesar. Released 17 July.
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14. Hunger Games: The Mockingjay Part 1
Composer James Newton Howard makes his third foray into the popular teen franchise. This time Katniss Everdeen becomes the symbol of a mass rebellion against the Capitol. Released 21 November.
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15. The Hobbit: There and Back Again
If it's December, it can only mean one thing - Peter Jackson returns to Middle Earth with another epic. This one will bring The Hobbit trilogy to a close. There's no reason not to expect a magnificent, symphonic score from Howard Shore. Released 19 December.
