Family Home Theater

About

Family Home Theater is a blog by James Plath, a longtime member of the Online Film Critics Society who wanted to create a site that would approach films from the perspective of family entertainment. Though the focus is on G, PG, and PG-13 films and TV-14-and-under series, some R-rated films are included for families that have older teens. Unlike other family sites, Family Home Theater doesn’t just review mainstream family movies. The site tries to present a wide range of films, including indie and foreign films, for families who wish to expand their cinematic worlds.

“Our family loves movies, and what began as a Friday movie night tradition quickly turned into ANY night that the kids don’t have homework. Watching movies is our favorite together pastime. We’re probably up to five movie nights a week now,” Jim says.

“I think we’re in the middle when it comes to what we’ve been comfortable watching with our two children (both in college now). There are parents who are far more permissive when it comes to what they’ll allow their children to watch, and others who are more restrictive. Often it’s situational. But I’ll do my best to describe the films so that the reviews, coupled with the ratings, might help you decide what’s right for your family.”

Jim wrote previously for the now-defunct movie sites Reel.com (a Hollywood Videos website), DVD Town, HollywoodinHiDef.com, and Movie Metropolis. He is the father of six, grandfather of seven, and a professor who teaches film, journalism, American literature, and creative writing at Illinois Wesleyan University, where you can contact him. He edited Critical Insights: Casablanca for Salem Press.