About Parent Previews

Parent Previews is not your average film review site. While we consider the artistic aspects of a film--storyline, cinematography, editing, performances--our main goal is to give parents an idea of what they will encounter when they take their kids to the movies. With that in mind, we look at a film's violence, sexual content, profanities and substance use as well as both positive and negative themes included in the script.

We've all been in one of those films that suddenly throws in an unanticipated scene of sexuality, a depiction of graphic violence or ongoing crude humor or profanities. At times we may have even been questioned on the drive home about a portrayal or comment that wasn't age-appropriate for our children. As parents, we too have been there and we understand the frustration others feel as well.

So in 1993 Rod and Donna Gustafson began reviewing movies from a family perspective. It was a novel idea at the time but today, thanks in part to the increasing cost of movie tickets and treats, many parents feel it is a necessity to know what's in a film before paying for an evening out. No one wants to sit through an unentertaining or inappropriate film. And it can be even more disappointing to have to walk out of the theater with the kids in tow.

At Parent Previews, we believe parents are able to make the best choices for their families when they have easy access to the information they need. Unfortunately it can be difficult to make a decision based on the various movie rating systems. The current systems offer only a very basic outline of the content that may be found in a film. However parents are often concerned about the types and frequency of depictions of sex, violence and substance use in a film as well as the amount of profanities and crude humor employed in the script. While our reviews do have subjective opinions, we try to be sensitive to any portrayals that demean or represent any particular group or individual in a stereotypical or inaccurate way.

In the past we have received suggestions to include an age-appropriate category. While we sometimes mention an age range the film may be most suitable for, we believe every parent knows his or her child best. Armed with information about a film's content, parents can then choose movies that are most suitable for their child's interests and sensitivities, as well as one that is in keeping with their family's standards. We hope you will find the additional information you need here at Parent Previews.

In 2018, Kirsten Hawkes became the new owner and editor of Parent Previews. Kirsten and our staff of talented writers are committed to covering theatrical releases while expanding our scope to include original films released on major streaming platforms. We know that theatrical releases are expensive and that it can be inconvenient to take the whole family to the theater. As family viewing patterns increasingly shift to online viewing, we're here to provide the same information we've offered for the past 20+ years. At present, we review original releases on Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+. When time permits, we also cover films released for online rental.

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With over two decades of experience in the field of family movie reviews, we hope Parent Previews will be a trusted site where you can find the information you need to confidently make entertainment choices that meet your family's interests and values.