Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

The movie version of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, which draws from several Grimm fairy tales, is certain to be a Christmas box-office smash. The soundtrack features a 69-piece orchestra and thrilling performances by such stars as Meryl Streep (the Witch), Johnny Depp (the Wolf) and Emily Blunt (the Baker’s Wife).

After 16 years and six epic films, Canadian-born soundtrack wizard Howard Shore brings the big-screen adaptions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s celebrated novels to a stirring conclusion. The award-winning composer’s score ends with Billy Boyd (Pippin in Lord of the Rings), singing “The Last Goodbye,” an emotional ballad bound to bring goosebumps.

The excitement around the soundtrack rivals that for the sci-fi series’ third instalment. Besides Charli XCX and Grace Jones, the album features Lorde, the collection’s curator, on the opening hip-hop jam “Meltdown,” the closing Bright Eyes ballad “Ladder Song” and two versions of her “Yellow Flicker Beat,” including a moody remix by Kanye West.

This soundtrack for the movie adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling memoir, starring Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon, features some inspired choices. Bruce Springsteen’s “Tougher Than the Test,” Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound” and the Hollies’ “The Air that I Breathe” provide note-perfect accompaniment to a tale of survival and self discovery during a 1,600-km wilderness hike.

The Godfather of Soul was an explosive, one-of-a-kind performer, capable of ecstatic gospel and frenzied funk. The new biopic, co-produced by Mick Jagger, sticks to his original music, including previously unreleased live recordings of “Please Please Please” and “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” that capture all the legendary star’s raw power.