"The Magician's Assistant" and "Astro Boy" (2025)

The Vampire's Assistant, based on the popular series of books by Darren Shan, is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

16-year-old Darren (Chris Massoglia) was like most kids in his suburban neighborhood. He hung out with his best friend, got decent grades and usually stayed out of trouble. But when he and his buddy stumble upon a traveling freak show, things begin to change inside Darren. That's the exact moment when a vampire named Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly) turns him into something, well, bloodthirsty.

Newly undead, he joins the Cirque Du Freak, a touring sideshow filled with monstrous creatures from a snakeboy and a wolfman to a bearded lady (Salma Hayek) and a gigantic barker (Ken Watanabe). As Darren flexes his newfound powers in this dark world, he becomes a treasured pawn between the vampires and their deadlier counterparts. And while trying to survive, one boy will struggle to keep their brewing war from devouring what's left of his humanity.

The darkly adventurous but fun score is by Stephen Trask.

Universal Pictures opens THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT nationwide on October 23.

Varèse Sarabande Catalog #: 302 066 990 2
Release Date: 10/20/09

ASTRO BOY
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music Composed by John Ottman

A thrilling tale of a true hero, Astro Boy is an all-new, feature film full of action, adventure, humor and heart. It will be brought to life on the big screen in breathtaking CGI animation on October 23rd, 2009.

Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Tenma (Nicolas Cage). Powered by positive “blue” energy, Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore) is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly.

Embarking on a journey in search of acceptance, Astro Boy encounters many other colorful characters along the way. Through his adventures, he learns the joys and emotions of being human, and gains the strength to embrace his destiny. Ultimately learning his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals his awesome super powers and returns to Metro City in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to understand what it takes to be a hero.

ASTRO BOY’s impressive voice cast also features Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas, Bill Nighy and Donald Sutherland.

John Ottman’s soaring and adventurous score was recorded with some of London’s finest musicians.

Summit Entertainment opens ASTRO BOY on October 23.

Varèse Sarabande Catalog #: 302 066 989 2
Release Date: 10/20/09

Same here. Unfortunately. Except I probably won't even bother with the films....

*At least one blogger complained that there's no use in having Kristen Bell if you can't see her, but that didn't stop the producers of Gossip Girl. And from all her voiceover stuff as GG and Veronica Mars we know she can function in voice-only mode, which not all actors can do (otherwise known as Ewan McGregor Syndrome).

For the life of me, I cannot understand the Ottman bashing I have seen from time to time (not talking about this thread of course). It seems that these very people are the ones whining about nothing being done old school, yet here is this guy who idolizes Goldsmith and is one of the few still trying to keep melody and orchestra at the forefront. He is also great to his fans. I have emailed him several times and gotten responses. I'll listen to whatever he has to offer.

I'm right there with you when it comes to being disappointed with filler albums that have one good track. I initially felt that way about X2 back when it first came out, but that album has a LOT of great music on it. And Superman Returns is totally full of incredible scoring and rarely left my CD player that year. I chalk the filler up to the movies themselves. They tend to be less than accommodating to the composer attempting to strike the balance between a good listening experience and the needs of the film. I miss the days when they went hand and hand. But I will always give a chance to someone who is fighting the good fight.

I am really hoping that what Bruce Broughton said turns out to be the truth. That everything is cyclical and the melody is just not in right now....but will be again.

-Erik-

Thanks for posting, Erik (and CindyLover, for the thread). I'm sure I'll be buying this one.

That was a nice clip of Astro Boy. I'm sold on at least checking the movie out.

I kinda feel the same way you do, although THE USUAL SUSPECTS remains his masterpiece.

I'd go with Incognito, myself.

http://www.varesesarabande.com/details.asp?pid=vsd%2D302%2D066%2D990%2D2

TRACKLIST:

1. The Whistle Song (1:38)
2. The Vampire’s Assistant (2:46)
3. College! Job! Family! (1:15)
4. Destiny (1:30)
5. Sneaking Out (1:34)
6. The Show a. Welcome b. The Wolfman c. Dance of The Bearded Lady d. Octa’s Jig (3:43)
7. Obsessed (1:43)
8. Book of Souls (:50)
9. What I Was Meant For (2:54)
10. Limousine (2:58)
11. Octa Escapes (2:49)
12. The Vampire’s Bargain (3:13)
13. You Held Your Breath, Right? (:49)
14. You Can’t Just Leave (3:24)
15. Graveyard (2:52)
16. The Cirque du Freak (1:53)
17. I Have Returned (1:02)
18. Not Drinking Blood?† (2:46)
19. New Pants (1:15)
20. Rooftop (2:05)
21. Blood Will Have Blood (2:01)
22. Headache For Nothing (1:09)
23. The Vampaneze Attack (4:44)
24. Don't Go Home / Little Vampire‡ (3:56)
25. Blood Brother Reunion‡ (2:40)
26. The War Begins‡ (9:24)
27. Vampire Bird (3:27)

James

1. Opening Theme (2:06)
2. Astro Flies! (3:14)
3. Start it Up (3:57)
4. Morning Lessons (1:50)
5. Blue Core Pursuit (3:58)
6. Designing Toby (4:48)
7. I Don’t Want You (1:22)
8. One of Us / Meeting Trashcan (2:29)
9. I Love Robots / Hamegg’s Story (2:21)
10. The RRF / New Friends (2:58)
11. Reviving Zog (1:59)
12. Reluctant Warrior (4:43)
13. Cora’s Call (2:27)
14. Undercover Robots (:51)
15. Egg on Hamegg (3:29)
16. Toby’s Destiny (4:31)
17. Saving Metro City (3:47)
18. Final Sacrifice (2:47)
19. Robot Humanity (3:23)
20. Theme from Astro Boy (4:34)

Bonus Track:

21. “Robots Are Our Friends” Infomercial* (1:27)

I picked up Astro Boy yesterday but haven't listened to it yet.

The Vampire's Assistant however, is a surprisingly good score, big orchestral sound laced with guitar here and there and some nice, rich, urgent horror/action music. A hint of humor here and there helps out. The recording is great too, to my ears is crisp and full bodied.