In this edition of Throwback Thursday, we take a look at some featured superheroes in honor of Netflix’s new The Umbrella Academy series, launching Friday, February 15! We know there are the obvious ones from the Marvel and DC universes, but we’re not here for that. Let us know which superhero movies and film scores are your favorite below!
AMERICAN HERO – [Download/Listen]
Score by Lorne Balfe.
From Vertigo Films (Spring Breakers, Diary of A Teenage Girl, Maggie and In The Shadow Of The Moon) comes American Hero, starring Stephen Dorff, Eddie Griffin and Luis Da Silva, Jr. The film features score by GRAMMY® winning, Emmy and BAFTA-nominated composer Lorne Balfe (“The Cry“, FIFA 19, “Genius“, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Megamind). The superhero comedy is directed by Nick Love (Bronson, Executive Producer).
American Hero Is a Gritty Alternative to the Marvel Superhero Genre – Vanity Fair
The film has its own unique tone, a mix of drama and comedy. Lorne completely defies expectations and goes with a solo piano score that is resonates deeply beyond what you think this movie is. – Film.Music.Media
Screen Media presents AMERICAN HERO, available now on Blu-ray/DVD (get it here) and Digital (get it here)
DEFENDOR – [Download/Listen]
Score by John Rowley.
Starring Woody Harrelson, Kat Dennings and Sandra Oh, Defendor features score by critically-acclaimed Composer John Rowley (“The Phantoms“).
Arthur Poppington, is a regular man who adopts a superhero persona known as “Defendor” and combs the city streets at night in search of his arch enemy, Captain Industry. In his attempts to combat crime and bring down this drug and weapons dealer, whom he mistakenly blames for the death of his mother, Defendor ends up befriending a young prostitute.Armed with unconventional weapons like marbles and paper clips, and with his new friend by his side, Defendor proves that everyone is capable of making a difference as he puts his life on the line and foils the entire crime operation.
Alliance Films and Insight Film Releasing present DEFENDOR, available now on Digital (get it here).
SLEIGHT – [Download/Listen]
Score by Charles Scott IV.
Starring Jacob Latimore, Seychelle Gabriel, Storm Reid and Dulé Hill, Sleight is directed by J.D. Dillard (Sweetheart), and is a Sundance Award-nominated film, featuring score by Charles Scott IV (known for serving as in-house music supervisor/producer/songwriter at J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions).
The coolest superhero film I’ve ever seen – Geek Tyrant
The film will have you rethinking everything you know about superheroes and how films in the genre are made. – Aramide A. Tinubu, Shadow and Act
A young street magician (Jacob Latimore) is left to care for his little sister after their parents’ passing, and turns to illegal activities to keep a roof over their heads. When he gets in too deep, his sister is kidnapped, and he is forced to use his magic and brilliant mind to save her.
Blumhouse Tilt and WWE Studios present SLEIGHT, available now on Blu-ray, DVD (get it here) and Digital (get it here).
SUPER – [Download/Listen]
Score by Tyler Bates.
James Gunn’s outlandish dark comedy stars Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, and The Umbrella Academy’s Ellen Page! Fire up this movie before you watch The Umbrella Academy for an Ellen Page double feature! The film features score by Award Winning Composer Tyler Bates, in one of his earliest collaborations with Director James Gunn.
My favorite cue might be ‘Libby Goes Down’, specially for the part that starts around 4:01 which is a brilliant and powerful ending to a great track that has been building up to a finale. It is a mix of synth, electric guitar, percussion and choir. – Soundtrack Geek
IFC Films presents SUPER, available now on Blu-ray/DVD (get it here) and HD Digital (rent it on iTunes).
