On diving into the music of the Colombian-set story, Miranda said “A lot of the rhythms are familiar to me, but the instrumentation and orchestration is different and often unique to Colombia. One of the most fun things is that the accordion is so central to the music. It was really a joy immersing myself in artists I didn’t know and doing deeper dives into those I’ve grown up loving—like Carlos Vives, who we’re lucky enough to work with on this movie. This entire process has been about falling in love with Colombian music and culture and getting to play in that space.”

Miranda wrote and produced eight original songs for “Encanto.” Mike Elizondo (“96,000″ from “In The Heights,” “My Shot (Rise Up Remix)” from The Hamilton Mixtape) co-produced the songs. “I hope audiences come away singing these songs just like so many classic Disney movies,” said Elizondo. “There are so many positive messages about family and our relationships to one another. I also hope they realize how much variety there is in Colombian music. I learned so much about their rhythms and styles during the production process and I hope the audience can use the soundtrack as a gateway to discover Colombian music.”

The Encanto Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features eight original songs and a full original score, plus one reprise and one end-credit version of a song from the film. The digital version of the soundtrack also includes instrumental versions of the songs.

Award-winning composer Germaine Franco is behind the original score for “Encanto.” Franco worked closely with filmmakers and Miranda to create a signature score that complemented the songs and story.

Commenting on the score, Franco said, “Collaborating with Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Charise Castro Smith, and Yvett Merino was a dream! We created new textures and sonorities, using traditional Colombian instruments such as tiples, bandolas, cununos, marimba de chonta, arpa llanera from Latin America mixed with orchestra. The sound of the score is infused with many Colombian rhythmic styles including bambuco, mapalé, cumbia, and joropo. The score weaves in and out of the beautiful songs of Lin-Manuel Miranda. I hope that the musical imagery of the score evokes the resonant landscape of Colombia, the tenacity of our lead character, Mirabel, the strength of family, and our shared humanity.”

“Encanto” is directed by Jared Bush (co-director “Zootopia”) and Byron Howard (“Zootopia,” “Tangled”), co-directed by Charise Castro Smith (writer “The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez”) and produced by Yvett Merino, p.g.a., and Clark Spencer, p.g.a. Castro Smith and Bush are screenwriters on the film.

In the film, the magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. The voice cast includes Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, Wilmer Valderrama, Adassa, Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, Angie Cepeda, Jessica Darrow, Rhenzy Feliz and Carolina Gaitán.

Encanto will be released in Australian cinemas December 2!
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Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was never seen and largely forgotten–until now.

SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more.

“Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not be Televised),” is the first official project under the recently announced Onyx Collective brand. The winner

Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not be Televised) will be released in Australian cinemas Septembr 2!
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The heights in the title are Washington Heights a largely Dominican neighborhood in New York City and the main protagonist is Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos) the owner of a local bodega. He is a pillar of the community and dreams of a better life while saving money to move back to the Dominican Republic to revive his late father’s seaside establishment.

The neighbourhood is filled with colourful characters and in a departure from reality, never a harsh word is spoken, even the men in blue are friendly. It’s a large ensemble cast and many storylines intertwine throughout the film’s generous 143 minute running time. Some are more interesting than others but the ebullient momentum of the song and dance keeps things entertaining.

File this one under the title of “They don’t make them like that anymore” and its verve and energy is relentless and impressive. From big dance numbers that provide a nod towards the extravaganzas of Busby Berkeley to the more intimate one on one moments, the energy never lapses. You have to love a movie that has a credit list of dancers almost as long as the list of animators on a Marvel film.

Rob Hudson
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Lights up on Washington Heights…The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.

“In the Heights” fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M. Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience.

“In the Heights” stars Anthony Ramos (“A Star is Born,” Broadway’s “Hamilton”), Corey Hawkins (“Straight Outta Compton,” “BlacKkKlansman”), singer/songwriter Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera (TV’s “Vida”), Olga Merediz (Broadway’s “In the Heights”), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Broadway’s “Rent”), Gregory Diaz IV (Broadway’s “Matilda the Musical”), Stephanie Beatriz (TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Dascha Polanco (TV’s “Orange is the New Black”) and Jimmy Smits (the “Star Wars” films).

Chu directed the film from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes, based on the musical stage play, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and concept by Miranda. Miranda, Hudes, Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman and Mara Jacobs produced the film, with David Nicksay and Kevin McCormick serving as executive producers

In The Heights will be released in Australian cinemas June 24!
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Despite the over fifty-year gap between the first Poppins film released back in 1964 and the new sequel, Disney has brought the story up to date. Even correcting quite a few of the wonky elements from the first edition and resisting the temptation to go all CGI crazy. The film still has that old school charm visually and this includes what appears to be hand drawn animation.

After the fact, Emily Blunt seems the perfect choice to pick up the reins from Julie Andrews and the new script gives her plenty of lines to deliver as only a posh pom could. Elsewhere the cast provide good support and it was a real treat to see the 93 year-old Dick Van Dyke return to the screen in a cameo.

Too far removed for most of the current audience members to remember seeing the original up on the big screen, this new version will easily provide the basis for new fond memories. Along with the release earlier this year of Christopher Robin, Disney is trying its best to create new memories and with Mary Poppins Returns consider it a job well done.

Rob Hudson
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