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 and I’ll take time to make my case or share my opinions. It could be serious, relevant, or downright silly. Then it will be time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!

Needless to say this YOUR VOICES definitely falls into the dumb, stupid fun category but in some weird way it struck me as interesting. Let me set the preposterous stage: Lets say that a huge cataclysmic world event has occurred. Lets say in order to survive you must leave the planet with a group of fellow bloggers…err survivors and you can only bring five DVDs or Blu-Rays from your collection. Sure it’s a ridiculous stipulation, but this is a pretty ridiculous post, right? So my question, which five do you bring?

For something so absurd, I have went back and forth on this. Only five DVDs or Blu-Rays which means they must be something near and dear to my heart. Movies that I want to see over and over. Movies that I want to preserve. How on the dearly departed earth do you narrow down such a thing? But such is the nature of the apocalypse so if the ship is about to depart, I would grab these five DVDs or Blu-Rays from my shelves:

“Casablanca” (Blu-Ray) – I call it my favorite film ever made, and I watch it a couple of times every year. Of course it would have to come along with me.

“La Dolce Vita” (Criterion Collection Blu-Ray) – The visual artistry and unique narrative layers in Federico Fellini’s masterpiece never ceases to amaze me. I’m still reeling from my first few viewings.

“Night of the Living Dead” (DVD) – My affection and admiration for this small but influential 1968 horror classic knows no bounds.

“No Country for Old Men” (Blu-Ray) – I have heralded this film as a modern classic ever since I first saw it. Nothing has changed over subsequent years.

“The Empire Strikes Back” (DVD) – As a huge Star Wars fan how could I leave the planet without something to remember the franchise by. Plus it just may be the best sequel ever made.

There, I did it. So….did anyone pack a Blu-Ray player??? Now it is time for YOUR VOICES:

YOUR VOICES: What 5 DVDs or Blu-Rays would you take from your collection if fleeing from an impending worldwide cataclysmic doom?

So let Your Voices be heard. Sure this is a corny and goofy Your Voices but under the surface it does shed a little light on your movie tastes and the ones you hold dear to your heart. Please share Your Voices on today’s nutty question. I’d 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 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!

If even half of the potentially great movies deliver, 2015 is going to be a fabulous year at the theater. So many movies, from big tentpole blockbusters to small independent films, have caught my attention and my excitement. So simply picking one would normally be difficult. But that’s not the case this year. You see, there is a new Star Wars movie on the way, and there’s no possible way on earth that any movie could excite me more than it.

I know that “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” might be an obvious popular choice, but for me it’s legit. I saw the original trilogy during its first theatrical release. As a kid I spent more time with my Star Wars toys than with my friends. I had everything – action figures, vehicles, shirts, lightsabers, blasters, storybooks, comics, etc. etc. etc. And of course the movies. They were what opened up the world of cinema for this bright-eyed imaginative kid. “Star Wars” has been an intimate part of my life since I was a young boy.

Considering that, naturally I would be excited that a new “Star Wars” installment is hitting theaters this year. Of course there are reasons to be cautious. For the most part I like J.J. Abrams, but he does make me a little nervous. Also can this film launch an exciting new chapter after the pitch-perfect ending of Episode VI? I could list several more questions or concerns I have, yet none of these things dampen my excitement for seeing a new Star Wars film. My expectations are high and my fingers are crossed. Now I just have to wait until December 18th! But what about you? Now it’s time for YOUR VOICES.

YOUR VOICES: What is your most anticipated film of 2015?

Now it’s time for Your Voices. With so many 2015 movies to consider, which one would you call your most anticipated? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I’d 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 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!

Tis the season for Christmas movies and at our house we have several seasonal favorites that we watch every December. For one reason or another each of these holiday films entertain us and make us all the more festive. But when thinking about my favorite Christmas movie one film has always instantly came to mind. It’s a movie that over time has grown into a traditional classic and you’ll always see it on television this time of the year. I’m talking about the Frank Capra treasure “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

To be honest I really don’t like restricting this film under the label of “Christmas movie”. Simply put it’s a truly great film for anytime of the year. Yet it does have those Christmas traits that have endeared it to audiences through the years. But this isn’t just a fluffy feel-good tale. Capra looks at deeper issues but never through a heavy-handed lens. These subtle motifs mix well with the film’s well used sentimentality and invigoration of the human spirit.

And then there is Jimmy Stewart. What a fantastic performance. He exudes small town Americana and paints a distinct portrait of a man shelving his dreams for the sake of others. Stewart has rarely been better. It’s a great performance in a great film that truly transcends time. For me it never grows old and I look forward to seeing it each year. In my view “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a near perfect film and it is easily my favorite ‘Christmas movie’. But now it’s time for your voices…

YOUR VOICES: What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Now it’s time for Your Voices. With so many Christmas movies to consider, which one would you call your favorite? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I’d 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 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!

I can say without hesitation that I have always liked Bruce Willis and many of his movies hold a spot in my movie-watching heart. But the actor also hit a stage of his career where he seemed to take any small supporting part thrown his way. Lately he has shown signs of making smarter choices as evident by his work in films like “Moonrise Kingdom” and “Looper”. But for every one of those there is a G.I. Joe appearance or a downright bad movie like “The Cold Light of Day”. But still he is an actor I do enjoy even outside of his hugely successful “Die Hard” franchise.

So that got me to thinking, what is Bruce’s best movie outside of the “Die Hard” films? I’ve mentioned roles I have liked above, but there were a couple that stood out more than others. At the top of my list is “The Sixth Sense”. His turn as Dr. Malcolm Crowe still stands out as one of his best performances and one of his best movies. He drives the film with a perfectly measured performance that flows with the film’s creepy mood. It’s an easy choice for me. But what about you? Now it’s time for you to share your thoughts.

YOUR VOICES: What is your favorite non-Die Hard Bruce Willis movie?

Now it’s time for Your Voices. With so many Bruce Willis movies to consider, which one, other than the Die Hard films, would you consider his best? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I’d 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 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!

Lately there has been a lot of buzz regarding the oversaturation of superhero/comic book movies. Many people are starting to experience superhero fatigue thanks to the annual four or five films that hit theaters. It has really been an amazing thing to watch and no one at Marvel or DC could have anticipated these franchises to be so popular or so lucrative. But have they worn out their welcome? Are they becoming too routine and tiresome? Many moviegoers are beginning to think so.

Personally I’m not to that point yet mainly because most of the films we are getting have been good movies. They have been well made, well written, and a ton of fun. And while I understand the philosophy behind the fatigue, ultimately we are talking four or five movies a year out of over a hundred that hit theaters. That is a big number compared to other projects, but when it is considered as a genre, we get no more of them than we do raunchy comedies, rom-coms, etc. Could comic book films step outside of their obvious formula? Absolutely! But I’m still having a good time with them.

But my personal attachment to these characters could be slanting my position. I grew up reading comic books and I have a long and loving history with Batman, Captain America, and their fellow super-powered heroes and villains. That is why I think I am enjoying them still. They have been treated well on the big screen and that has translated well with me. But what about those who don’t have such a connection to them? Could their time have come and their welcome worn out?

YOUR VOICES: Are you still enjoying the annual superhero movies?

Now it’s time for Your Voices. With so many superhero movies to consider are you still having fun with them? Why do you like them? If you don’t, why do you dislike them and what could make them better? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I’d 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 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!

Emily Blunt

A while back I wrote about actresses who I believe are underrated in today’s movie environment. We see many actresses get a ton of praise and a lot of spotlight, but there are others who are immensely talented yet who just don’t get the attention that their work has earned them. I think a good argument could be made that there should be more substantial movie roles for women and I am of the belief that there are plenty of talented actresses to fill those roles aside from the common big names we always hear about.

For me one such underrated actress is Emily Blunt. Many people who frequent this site knows how much I champion her work. There is an amazing natural quality to Blunt and her acting that is rare in movies today. Even more, whether it is drama, comedy, or even science fiction, Blunt handles her roles brilliantly. She can be quirky. She can be tough. She can be emotional. And she does it all with ease. Personally I would love to see her given bigger and more demanding leading roles that would showcase these talents and propel her to be the prominent leading lady that I think she deserves to be.

YOUR VOICES: Who do you think is an incredibly underrated actress?

Now it’s time for Your Voices. With so many great actresses out there, who are some that you think are criminally underrated? Why do you think so? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.