Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic. After that I’ll make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let me and your fellow moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!

This next paragraph features some rather BIG “Avengers: Endgame” spoilers. Be warned…here we go. “Endgame” featured some events that will dramatically reshape the MCU landscape. Namely the death of Tony Stark, the passing of the shield by Steve Rogers, most likely the end of Banner/Hulk storyline. All three actors have intimated their desires to leave their roles and “Endgame” gave them that big satisfying finish (except for Hulk but that’s a gripe for another time).

A while back I shared some initial thoughts about the MCU’s new direction (you can read them HERE). But from your point-of-view, with such major heavy hitters and pivotal Marvel superheroes no longer leading the way, where does that leave your excitement going forward? Are you as excited for an MCU without these iconic characters? To be honest, I can’t say I am.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m still interested in the MCU and love many of its remaining heroes. I’m still going to be there watching the films when they hit theaters. But I have to admit, Marvel has some work to do. Robert Downey, Jr. brought so much, not only to his character, but to the MCU as a whole. Captain America always has been and always will be my favorite Avenger. Those two along with Hulk, Black Widow, and Thor (at least he’s still around) made up an incredible core that won’t be easy to replace.

But now it’s time for Your Voices. Please hit the comments section to share your thoughts.

YOUR VOICES – How excited are you for the MCU now that some of the brand’s biggest characters are gone?

Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It’s been a while but it works like this: I throw out a certain topic. After that I’ll make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let me and fellow moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!

One thing the current coronavirus pandemic has shown us is that streaming is a viable option for movie fans when it comes to seeing new films. But what does that mean for movie houses and multiplexes everywhere? With the recent news that AMC theaters may not survive the pandemic-related shutdown, questions naturally arise about the future of watching movies. What does it mean for the movie theater experience? Is streaming an acceptable substitute? Is there a scenario where both can equally co-exist?

Without question I have streamed more new releases recently than I ever have before. Some have been through screeners, but many have been through Vudu, Amazon Prime, etc. The biggest plus to streaming is the instant accessibility and the ability to watch instantly on a wide variety of devices. There is a convenience factor to streaming that is undeniably attractive.

But what about movie theaters? Personally I love the seeing movies on the big screen with sharp digital projection and high quality sound. And there is something about joining a group of strangers and watching a movie together (except when they’re constantly chattering or bringing their infant child). And some movies are unequivocally better on a big screen. They are conceived for it, filmed for it, edited for it. In other words they are made for it.

So where do I land? Shamefully on the fence. I want both to be viable options. But I’m not sure if that is realistic. And if so, there are certain to be some business casualties.

But enough of me, now it’s time for Your Voices. Please hit the comments section to share your thoughts.

YOUR VOICES – What are your feelings about the complex issue of streaming versus the big screen?

Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic. After that I’ll make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let me and fellow moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!

Today’s topic fascinates me and I’m really curious to read the responses. Steven Spielberg made a few headlines after his latest shot fired at Netflix and movie streaming in general. At the very core of his concern is that streaming is killing the movie theater experience. I wrote a commentary on it that you can check it out HERE.

Since then I’ve been thinking about what we refer to as the ‘movie theater experience’. Since Spielberg’s comments several have shared their positions with me and I was surprised at the amount of apathy towards seeing movies on the big screen. Their takes weren’t without merit. Convenience, cost, location – it all played into some people’s take-it-or-leave-it approach.

While I still don’t side with Spielberg in his push against Netflix, I do agree that there is something special (for me) about the movie theater experience. I love seeing films on the big screen with a great sound system. I love seeing movies in a theater full of strangers but I equally enjoy a lonely matinee screening. For me it still feels very different than watching at home. I’m still pro-streaming for reasons shared in my piece, but I can’t and won’t deny the pull of seeing movies on the big screen.

But now it’s time for Your Voices. Please hit the comments section to share your thoughts.

YOUR VOICES – What are your feelings about the importance of the movie theater experience?

Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic or question and I’ll take time to make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day.

After James Gunn was fired by Disney over offensive tweets made some ten-plus years earlier there was no shortage of opinions to be found. His removal from “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” sparked the ire of some fans while cast members issued a joint statement supporting the embattled director. But others were understandably repulsed by what he called “jokes”.

Since then Gunn has met several times with the chairman of Walt Disney Studios Alan Horn. As a result Disney has re-hired Gunn who will head “Guardians 3” after his “Suicide Squad” reboot for Warner Bros. The question is should we be happy with Disney’s decision or is there reason for people to be upset? As with before, there is no shortage of opinions.

I’m genuinely caught in the middle. In one sense the entertainment industry have set the standards on firing people due to off-color or offensive things done in the past. Now it has come back to bite them in the butt and their sudden rehiring of Gunn comes across as hypocritical. And I happen to be in the camp who thinks his “jokes” were pretty disgusting and reprehensible. I ‘ve yet to understand the mindset where any of that can be conceived as remotely humorous.

On the other side Gunn has handled the whole situation extremely well. He has shown a respect for the “business decision” side as well as shown genuine remorse for the tweets. He hasn’t tried to downplay or brush aside the offensive nature of his words. Humility and accountability are truly refreshing things to see. Aren’t those the types of responses that should earn second chances?

That’s what I think but what about you? Time to let Your Voices be heard in the comments section below.

YOUR VOICES: Are you okay with Disney rehiring James Gunn?

Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic or question and I’ll take time to make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day.

Music has played such a memorable part in so many movies. Just think about how many movies you can identify just by hearing their theme music. Or think about the times when music has been so perfectly in tune with the tone of a film. For years great composers have made names for themselves enhancing film experiences with the original music they create. And when you think about it how do you pick a favorite?

When thinking about my favorite movie score so many wonderful ones popped into my head, but for me there is a clear number one. Truly great scores provoke a response while also carefully serving its movie or particular scene. For me they also transcend the film setting. I listen to and admire them completely on their own. The score from 1992’s  “The Last of the Mohicans” does all of those things to perfection.

Trevor Jones was the artist behind this masterfully diverse soundtrack. Funny thing is at the last minute director Michael Mann changed the score from electronic to orchestra. So not only did Jones create gorgeous and stimulating music, he did so with several time limitations in place. Randy Edelman was brought in to score a handful of smaller scenes which ridiculously disqualified it from Oscars contention. Nevertheless the two created something that is just as important to the film as is the great script, direction, and performances.

Whether it is the soft emotion of “The Glade Part II”, the delicate elegance of “Cora” (which was actually played at my wedding), or the pulse-pounding energy of “Fort Battle”, the pieces of music from “The Last of the Mohicans” are so strikingly unique. To go further, no movie music has ever stuck with me more. I’m not talking simply in terms of recognition. I mean music that has struck an emotional chord and continues to this day. That’s why this is an easy choice for me. But what about you?

YOUR VOICES: What is your favorite movie score?

So let Your Voices be heard. What is your favorite movie score? Is their one that holds a special place in your heart? Is it too difficult to narrow it down? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic or question and I’ll take time to make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!

We all love movies, right? I mean that’s probably why you’re reading this right now. Sometimes our love for movies goes beyond simply venturing to the theaters or renting a Blu-Ray.  And sometimes our enthusiasm can be seen in the collectibles or the cool assortment of movie related memorabilia we have. It could be as simple as a t-shirt or as personal as an autograph. That is certainly the case with me. I have some movie related stuff that may not be cool to everyone but they are near and dear to my heart.

Trying to pick my favorite among my movie stuff was pretty tricky. It’s not that I have a bunch of it. It’s just that I love them all. I decided to go with something a bit odd but a bit sentimental as well. It’s my Humphrey Bogart life-sized cardboard standup (please, don’t laugh). Frequent readers of K&M probably know that I have a pretty strong affection for Bogart and his films. There is a funny story behind this particular piece of Bogart. Twenty years ago while on my honeymoon I noticed this standup at a movie memorabilia shop. I had to have it. Bogart made the trip with my wife and me and now he stands right next to our bed at home. What a tolerant and understanding wife! So now it’s time for YOUR VOICES.

YOUR VOICES: What is your favorite bit of movie memorabilia?

So let Your Voices be heard. Does your love for movies extend into collectibles? Is it something big and amazing or is it a small little movie trinket that you hold dear? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.