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.

“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.

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I Want My Analog TV

A couple nights ago, my wife and I were watching a bit of TV. Specifically, a bit o’ baseball. Neither one of us is a huge baseball fan. But we sometimes tune in for a few minutes here and there during the playoffs, just to see what’s happening. I thin …

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Shrek the Third

The world’s most famous ogre returns for another tale majoring on family, love and … bathroom humor.

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Come Around Sundown

The Followills return with their fifth album, a deep-fried, Southern rock effort many are saying will officially coronate them as America’s new kings of arena rock.

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XXX: State of the Union

What’s the recipe for this ‘XXX’ sequel? Add James Bond to ‘The Fast and the Furious.’ Garnish with explosions. Go easy on originality.

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Not in My House … But Fine in Yours

Every now and then, celebrities reveal some pretty interesting double standards. As in, the racy and profane material that they’re more than willing to foist upon the rest of us is actually off limits when it comes to their own children and their own h …

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Medal of Honor

Electronic Arts’ storied wartime franchise jumps from World War II to present-day Afghanistan … and takes fire from all sides in the process.

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“Raise Your Glass”

Pink’s latest single—a new track from her greatest hits collection—salutes everyone who refuses to submit to the status quo. Translation: everyone who wants to party ALL NIGHT LONG.

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Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Bruno Mars’ soulful debut yielded one of the feel-good hits of 2010, “Just the Way You Are.” Does the rest of the album offer as much to feel good about?

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Whose Football Is It, Anyway?

A couple weeks ago I had a momentarily confusing, disorienting experience watching NFL football on a Sunday afternoon. I’d just gotten my son down for a nap and came down to see the score of the Denver game. I’m no hard-core fan—I can’t even remember w …

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“Little Lion Man”

The first hit from this Grammy-nominated British folk-rock act moves from melancholy reflections on a doomed relationship to surprisingly harsh self-condemnation.

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Hemingway’s Whiskey

Kenny Chesney claims Ernest Hemingway’s life served as an inspiration of sorts for his 17th release. Before taking a swig of his Whiskey, though, it might be wise to recall exactly where that substance led Chesney’s titular muse.

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“Grenade”

Bruno Mars loves to sing about love. But this time, on “Grenade,” it’s not the many-splendored thing he thought it was on “Just the Way You Are.”

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