Contributor: Adam R. Holz

After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.

“One More Night”

Maroon 5’s latest smash hit isn’t really about what its title implies. Then again, maybe it is.

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Believe

Justin Bieber may not be making his transition to more adult material quite as quickly or quite as brazenly as, say, Miley Cyrus. But he’s beginning to make that transition nonetheless.

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Rock of Ages

Based on the hit Broadway musical featuring tunes from Def Leppard, Poison, Pat Benatar and other ’80s icons, Rock of Ages mixes feel-good messages about following your dreams with enough amped-up raunch to make Steven Tyler blush.

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Tom Cruise and the Postmodern Spirit

Tom Cruise recently gave a well-publicized interview in Playboy, quotes from which made the rounds in all sorts of other news outlets. The 49-year-old actor held forth on a variety of subjects, but the comments I found most interesting had to do with h …

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Looking 4 Myself

Usher occasionally reveals his vulnerable side on his seventh album, Looking 4 Myself. More often, though, he reveals his carnal cravings.

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“As Long as You Love Me”

“A boy … is what you are,” a young woman’s father tells Justin in the video for his hit “As Long as You Love Me.” Bieber is determined to prove him wrong.

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Prometheus

Director Ridley Scott returns to the universe of Alien in a thought-provoking prequel that focuses almost as much on questions about the beginning of life as it does those nasty beasties with a penchant for ending life.

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“Some Nights”

Murky musings on fun.’s second big hit hint at ambivalence, cynicism and rebellion. But you’d be hard pressed to pin down exactly what this rousing anthem is actually about—other than someone who’s just not very happy.

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“Ho Hey”

The first big hit from this Denver-based folk rock trio looks to extend the stripped-down roots rock revival that’s recently been reignited by the likes of Mumford & Sons.

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“Some Nights”

Murky musings on fun.’s second big hit hint at ambivalence, cynicism and rebellion. But you’d be hard pressed to pin down exactly what this rousing anthem is actually about—other than someone who’s just not very happy.

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Movie Tuesday: Smith’s Back in ‘Black’

Earth’s mightiest heroes finally met a foe they could not vanquish at the box office: Will Smith. Nearly 10 years after he last donned a dark suit, Smith’s Agent J has faced down Marvel’s The Avengers at the multiplex. In its first three days in theate …

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“Home”

American Idol Season 11 champ Phillip Phillips channels a bit of Mumford & Sons’ earnest, upbeat acoustic vibe on his debut single.

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In Facebook We (Don’t) Trust

What do you think of Facebook? That’s a question lots of people have been asking recently. In fact, the Associated Press and CNBC conducted a poll before Facebook’s initial public stock offering last Friday trying to determine American users’ attitudes …

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“Wide Awake”

Katy Perry says she’s now “Wide Awake” as she cathartically expunges the pain and regret of love lost to divorce.

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“Want U Back”

Cher Lloyd’s first stateside hit unleashes a blast of breezy, bratty British bubblegum pop. Will we want her back after hearing it?

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