Help me with tree/shrub pruning

We have two trees that I want to prune because they are getting to be too big.

Situation A)

The first one is in the landscaping in front of the porch. Its some kind of needled pin bush shrub thing.  Is it possible to get it shorter and less wide/round? I can see that since last year it has grown outward.  

Situation B)

This is some kind of blooming rose/flowering tree.  It blooms in the late summer and its just gotten too big and scrapes the house and porch and almost totally blocks the path to the back yard.  You can see in the photo that I am pointing to an area where it looks like it was pruned back to a long time ago. That would be a better size or close to that. 

When should I prune/ trim back each one? Is it worth it or even possible? Thoughts and input appreciated. Just refer to A or B so I can keep the advice straight.

Thanks

Crap, can someone move this to off-topic please I posted in the wrong area...

B) You can prune two ways. 
Trim each branch down to desired height,  cutting just above a branched leaf. This takes time but you will have some green during the summer but limited or no buds depending on how low you cut.

The other option is to cut maybe a foot off the ground. This is risky but if it survives it will be easier to maintain desired height. Down side is it will be several years before it fills in and buds.

Thinking about situation A I think it would be too woodie if you do any trimming to get to your satisfied size. I think I would be inclined to remove it and replace it with another smaller specimen.