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.

Love, Simon

The more you like a flick, the more it’ll potentially influence you. And Love, Simon aims to influence.

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Outsider

Light and dark swirl on this Canadian rock act’s latest effort … with darkness perhaps claiming the last word.

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No Excuses

Meghan Trainor returns with another empowerment anthem undermined by some mixed messages in its video’s visuals.

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On My Teeth

When Christian bands become former Christian bands, some fans inevitably feel betrayed and confused.

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Black Panther: The Album (Music From and Inspired By)

This soundtrack’s admirable cry for justice, love and equality competes with explicit lyrics filled with sex, drugs and violence.

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Peter Rabbit

Peter Rabbit is exactly what you’d expect¬¬—except for a few scenes that are actually more redemptive than the trailers suggest.

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The Champion

Carrie Underwood fights her way to the top as a “The Champion” with this inspiring anthem.

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All the Money in the World

This tragic morality tale unpacks how one stingy man’s unfathomable riches nearly destroyed his grandson.

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The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water is an odd, beautiful, jarring, graphically problematic kettle of fish.

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Songs of Experience

Bono and Co.’s 14th effort brims with paradox as this iconic Irish band both confronts and comforts our confusing culture.

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Call Me by Your Name

Call Me by Your Name celebrates the lie of a culture that’s determined to crown every individual the king or queen of his or her life.

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Coco

Despite this film’s eye-popping beauty and its heartwarming moments, Pixar’s latest still packages a pagan worldview.

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The Star

This film tells an imaginative and sweet version of Jesus’ birth—from the point of view of animals—while remaining faithful to the biblical narrative.

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Daddy’s Home 2

Between put-downs, profanity and off-color gags, this movie still manages to say something about how important dads are.

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Walk on Water

Eminem’s latest profanely ponders how to make sense of life as fame begins to fade.

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