Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar Wai’s two-time Academy Award®-nominated The Grandmaster film is 10 years in the making, based loosely on the life of Ip Man, the man who trained another Martial Arts legend, Bruce Lee, the fundamentals of Wing Chun. Acclaimed composers Nathaniel Méchaly and Shigeru Umebayashi score the visually-stunning multi-period drama, considered a romantic film with satisfying, dynamic fight scenes inspired by classic Kung Fu films. The bold and sweeping music is the kind of score that was made for vinyl. The film and score swept the film awards in Asia. Preview the album below.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’ve curated 21 soundtracks released by Lakeshore Records for you to consider. Which ones do you own? Whether in search for date night music or simply great music for that ultimate playlist you’re building, we think you’ll find something to love here. Share which soundtrack is your favorite in the comments below!
The Grandmaster, the Academy Award-nominated film from acclaimed Director Wong Kar-wai, will release the film in 3D this October. “We now have the opportunity to show the film as it was always intended – searching for a brand new aesthetic or cinematic language in the 3D format.” The director is reportedly “100% present and hands on.” Read the full story at Variety.
In addition to its Academy Award noms, The Grandmaster swept the awards shows in Asia, including Composers Nathan Méchaly and Shigeru Umebayashi’s Best Score wins. Lakeshore Records released the soundtrack, featuring the award winning score. Read more about it: ‘The Grandmaster’ Composer Nathan Méchaly Sweeps Film Awards. The film, a biopic about Ip Man, the Kung Fu master who mentored Bruce Lee, received Oscar nominations in Cinematography and Costume Design.
Download The Album!
The Grandmaster (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): iTunes | Buy CD
Looking for something to watch online? We’ve taken the liberty of sifting through over 100 movie titles to bring you this tight collection of eight movies which we think you’ll enjoy over the weekend. The soundtracks, all released by Lakeshore Records, feature award winning composers and rare tracks you can access exclusively through the album. We think you’ll enjoy the listen.
Antiviral (rent it on iTunes) – Craving a scifi film? Directed by Brandon Cronenberg, the futurisic movie takes it to the next level of oversharing: fans can share a (perhaps deadly) virus with their favorite über celebrity. Score by E.C. Woodley (The Dark Hours). Download The Album:iTunes | Buy CD
Blue Valentine(rent it on iTunes) – Starring Academy Award nominees Ryan Gosling (Drive) and Michelle Williams (Synecdoche, New York), this film chronicles a marriage through a series of flashbacks through good times and bad. Score by Grizzly Bear and features a track of Ryan Gosling singing. Download the Album:iTunes | Buy CD
G.B.F. (watch it on Netflix) – Directed by Darren Stein (Jawbreaker), this endearing coming-of-age movie introduces the concept of the G.B.F.: the Gay Best Friend, with the drama coming to a head at the prom. Soundtrack features music by Dragonette, Tegan and Sara, ‘Heven’ Helen Vergara, and many more. Download The Album:iTunes | Buy CD
In Bruges(watch it on Netflix) – Starring Colin Farrell (Seven Psychopaths), Brendan Gleeson (Gangs of New York), and Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes (The Dutchess, The Reader), a British hitman hides out in Bruges after a botched up assignment. While taking in the sights, he develops an appreciation of life in Belgium and considers a way out. Colin Farrell won the Golden Globe for his performance in this film. Score by Carter Burwell (Seven Psychopaths, Twilight Saga). Features music by Townes Van Zandt and Pretenders. Download The Album:iTunes | Buy CD
Mud (watch it on Netflix) – Starring Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey (Bernie, Dallas Buyer’s Club), this drama reminds us that McConaughey can play it straight or make us laugh just the same. Score by David Wingo. Download The Album:iTunes | Buy CD
The Grandmaster (watch it on Netflix) – Directed by Palme D’Or recipient Wong Kar-wai, this Academy Award-nominated film swept international awards shows for best score and music categories. Visually stunning, the movie is just as unforgettable as the music. Score by Nathaniel Méchaly and Shigeru Umebayashi. Download The Album:iTunes | Buy CD
The Grey (watch it on Neflix) – Any film which stars Academy Award nominee Liam Neeson is just cooler instantly. In this case, literally. Neeson leads stranded survivors of a plane crash through the frozen Alaskan wilderness. Score by Marc Streitenfeld (Welcome to the Rileys). Download The Album: iTunes | Buy CD
Zodiac (watch it on Netflix) – Three Academy Award nominees were cast together for this film: Robert Downey, Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right). Zodiac takes you back to a scary time in California history when the Bay Area was gripped by fear, thanks to a serial killer. Score by David Shire. Music by Santana, Johnny Mathis, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, The Four Tops, Three Dog Night, and more, on the various artists soundtrack. Download The Album! Zodiac Score:iTunes | Buy CD
Zodiac (Various Artists):iTunes | Buy CD
Lakeshore Records congratulates The Grandmaster Composer Nathaniel Méchaly on his Best Score win yesterday at the prestigious Hong Kong Film Awards. This adds to Méchaly’s other win at the Asian Film Awards held in Macau on March 27. With fellow score composer Umebayashi Shigeru, the Oscar-nominated film swept both awards, garnering twelve wins in Hong Kong, and seven at the Asian Film Awards.
Mechaly, who also won an award at the BMI Film and TV Awards last year for his work in Taken 2 starring The Grey‘s Liam Neeson, is set to score the new French series for TF1, “Taxi: Brooklyn” produced by Eurcopacorp TV and the forthcoming Jean Becker film, “Bon Rétablissement!” starring Gérard Lanvin.
Here’s a partial awards list from the Hong Kong Film Awards:
Best Score: Umebayashi Shigeru, Nathaniel Mechaly – The Grandmaster
