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.

“In the Dark”

The first hit from 22-year-old singer Devin Star Tailes, better known as Dev, leaves precious little to the imagination when it comes to her imagination.

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“We Found Love”

At first glance, Rihanna’s latest hit seems sunnier than some of her recent offerings. At second glance—and after watching the edgy video that comes with it—not so much.

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SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2

The sequel to 1999’s critically panned “Baby Geniuses.” Can these new tots live down to their predecessor’s stinky claim to fame?

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Angry Birds Does Hitchcock Proud

If you haven’t noticed, hostile avians are everywhere. I’m not talking about the kind Hitchcock made famous, of course. I’m talking about their digital descendants in the wildly popular casual video game Angry Birds. A couple of weeks ago at church, I …

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“Call Me Maybe”

The first big hit from this former Canadian Idol contestant splits the difference between innocent infatuation and something more suggestive, while its video steams things up several more notches.

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Unbroken

Bouncing back after rehab, 19-year-old Demi Lovato says her latest effort is about rising above it all, being positive and enjoying life.

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“Sexy and I Know It”

When it comes to “Sexy and I Know It,” there’s nothing but … well, ah, um, there’s just no polite way to even paraphrase what this alternative hip-hop duo has to say about the pride they take in …

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SpongeBrain?

I didn’t need a scientific study to know that my children don’t respond to all animated shows the same way. But now I’ve got one. Research published in the medical journal Pediatrics Monday indicates that fast-paced animated programs have different—rea …

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“Paralyzed”

Ten years in, the latest single from this influential Christian metalcore act spells out everything it stands for—with unintelligible lyrics that are nonetheless crystal clear.

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Own the Night

Love. Loss. Lust. That’s the trio of subjects this white-hot country threesome delves into on its third album.

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The Reader

Kate Winslet mixes sex and war in this adaptation of Bernard Schlink’s celebrated, indecent novel.

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“Mr. Know It All”

The first single from Kelly Clarkson’s fifth album sports a different sound … and the same spunky, self-confident zest the American Idol winner has built her career upon.

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“Lonely Boy”

Indie-minded rockers The Black Keys give us another fuzzed-out, low-fi salute to not finding the love of your life.

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“Good Feeling”

From the album Only One Rida (Part 2), “Good Feeling” celebrates living it up in the lap of luxury as rap royalty.

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“Domino “

Jet black hair? Crazy costumes? Suggestive lyrics? Earworm beats courtesy of Max Martin and Dr. Luke? Must be the new Katy Perry single. Actually, it’s from up-and-coming British starlet Jessie J.

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