Reviews

FULL HOUSE is a mixed bag. On the plus side, nearly every episode ends with a lesson learned, or a positive message of love and family. Danny, Jesse, and Joey do their best to raise three sweet girls with a knack for getting in (and out) of misadventures. Their parenting style includes gentle reminders (aka discipline) for misdemeanors, and heaps of love for each child no matter what mischief they create. All in all, FULL HOUSE portrays a happy home, albeit an un-traditional one, with many flaws but plenty of love and care to go around. It seems like the ideal kid show, or at least it did to me, until I started watching it. My first impression was "cute and hilarous", but I soon realized it wasn't as clean as it seems. Sexual innuendo started popping up frequently, sometimes in an off-color joke, and sometimes more blatantly. I also was surprised to hear quite a bit of swearing, including d*** and h***, which was a real shock on a show like this. At times they used euphemisms, and other times the children used the real words themselves. As for role models, they're a mixed bag as well. The girls are kind, sweet, and helpful most of the time, but frequently get into some kind of trouble or mischief. Danny is a loving father, and often the one to enforce the lesson, but he has his flaws. Joey is a comical character who loves to laugh, but you'll definitely hear swears and innuendo from him as well. Most of the innuendo comes from uncle Jesse, who's always dating girls, flirting with them, and cracking off-color jokes about his love life. My overall opinion of FULL HOUSE? Don't show this to your kids without previewing a few episodes. Each family has guidelines, and some are stricter than others. The language may or may not bother you, but I'm sure you'll find innuendo and wish the kids weren't around to hear it. I wouldn't show FULL HOUSE to anyone under ten, and even so, I'd probably watch it with them so I could answer troubling questions or point out examples NOT to follow.

This is possibly the most inspiring film I've ever viewed. Combining positive messages, uplifting storylines, and clean humor, it's an excellent choice for family movie night. FACING THE GIANTS tells the story of a failing football coach who's just can't seem to win. Half of his team spends practice time in detention, while the others seem to care little about playing the game. The school board meets secretly to discuss the possibility of hiring a new coach, but he happens to overhear and breaks down in dispair. On top of his troubles as coach, Taylor also faces heartbreak at home, as he discovers that his is unable to have children. While his life crumbles around him, Coach Taylor turns to the one bright spot in his life - his faith. Encouraged by the wisdom of a stranger, and drawing strength from the Bible, he rallies to create a new gameplan for his team. What happens next is a story which will keep you riveted from the first scene to the last. For parents wondering if this film is appropriate for the entire family, here's a few things to watch for. The topic of fertility is discussed, but not in depth. Several clues, on screen and in the dialogue, suggest that Coach Taylor and his wife are unable to have children, but the issue is discussed tastefully. Children may be frightened by one intense scene which portrays a teammate being pushed past his physical limit, but it's arguably the best part of the movie. Occasional yelling and arguments are heard as well, but no language is used and it it doesn't get physical either. To sum it up, it's one of the best films I've ever seen. Age-appropriate and family friendly, FACING THE GIANTS is an excellent choice for your home, and a film you won't regret watching!