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.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

The Harry Potter franchise begins its final descent in this heroic, dark beginning of the two-movie end.

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Bang Your … Skate?

Once upon a time, the path to becoming a rock god was simple and clear: Grow your hair out. Raise your fist at everything polite society values. Maybe bite the head off a bird. Testify in Congress regarding your right to spew vile lyrics. Or just spew …

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Loud

Rihanna has ditched the rage she vented in 2009’s Rated R. We’re almost afraid to find out what she’s replaced it with.

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Get Closer

Aussie crooner Keith Urban serves up yet another absolutely unabashed, unapologetic, positively gooey endorsement of lifelong love.

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Nothing Like This

The title of Rascal Flatts’ latest might suggest that this country trio’s all set to offer up something new and different. Nope. Optimistic love songs with a hint of sensuality are still this band’s rock-ribbed reality.

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Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood

Spilled blood and suspended salvation are what this sequel to Assassin’s Creed II revolves around. Ancient intrigue. Renaissance-era bloodshed. Convoluted spirituality.

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The Lady Killer

Cee Lo Green’s solo effort features a profane single that grabbed lots of headlines. But that’s just one of the problems on the latest release from this self-confessed Lady Killer.

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“The Time (Dirty Bit)”

Not that you had much time to miss them, but The Black Eyed Peas are back with yet another electronica-drenched dance-party ode to (what else?) dancing and partying.

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“Can You Hear Me Now? I’m on Mt. Everest.”

If you’ve ever thought, “Man, I’d climb Mt. Everest if only I could call my mom when I reached the summit,” well, it’s time to pack your parka and put the Sherpas on speed dial (not to mention telling mom what you’re up to … literally). The Nepalase te …

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My Kinda Party

Jason Aldean mixes equal measures of Southern sweet tea and Southern Comfort.

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My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Breaking up is hard to do—especially when your ex-girlfriend is a neurotic superhero. Director Ivan Reitman’s latest is equal parts Ghostbusters, Superman and … Sex and the City.

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Fame and Compromise

Few entertainers talk candidly about the way fame and fortune can require, at times, uncomfortable compromises. Actually, scratch that. We get tell-all memoirs all the time from actors, actresses and musicians whose fame crested 10 or 20 or 40 years ag …

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“Firework”

Katy Perry trades in blatant sexual objectification for an almost surprising emphasis on every individual’s inherent potential and worth. But its accompanying video adds unnecessary dissonance.

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Speak Now

Navigating the treacherous path between teen stardom and young adulthood, Taylor Swift has become oh-so-fond of penning pensive missives, then pointing them at high-profile ex-boyfriends.

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Speak Now

Navigating the treacherous path between teen stardom and young adulthood, Taylor Swift has become oh-so-fond of penning pensive missives, then pointing them at high-profile ex-boyfriends.

Read more