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.

Drag Me Down

The latest hit from One Direction might sound like it’s once again headed in a dangerous direction. But a more accurate title would have been “Lift Me Up.”

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Vacation

The word letdown isn’t even strong enough to encapsulate the tired, predictable nastiness that ensues in the latest Griswold family misadventure.

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Southpaw

Jab after jab of harsh profanity and bloody boxing imagery mean this movie ultimately takes the same kind of beating onscreen that Billy Hope does in the ring.

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She’s Kinda Hot

This pop-punk effort from Australian band 5SOS is a lukewarm blend of listless lust and energetic empowerment.

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My Way

New Jersey natives Fetty Wap and Frank Sinatra both do it “My Way.” But that’s where similarities between the two cease.

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Irrational Man

Mr. Allen’s cinematic efforts aren’t so much irrational as they are incongruous as he deftly uncovers the folly of postmodernism’s optimism.

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Sometime Last Night

Teen Beach Movie star Ross Lynch and his R-named cohorts may look like Disney teen idols of yesteryear. But R5’s latest sure ain’t Beach Blanket Bingo.

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Mobile Orchestra

In a world filled with songs and stories drenched in salacious sex and narcissistic nihilism, I’ll take Owl City’s wide-eyed wonder any day.

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Hustle & Flow

This gritty story of a pimp pursuing his hip-hop dream pulls no punches in the telling.

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“Locked Away”

Caribbean hip-hop duo R. City is joined by Maroon 5’s Adam Levine on a powerful, poignant song pondering what it takes to stay committed, no matter what.

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Found in Far Away Places

The latest effort from this influential Christian metalcore act once again wades into some of the most controversial subjects facing our culture today.

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Madea’s Family Reunion

Tyler Perry’s plus-sized matriarch returns to deal more of her trademark blend of physical comedy and wisecracking wisdom to family and friends in need of both.

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Dark Before Dawn

Light and dark swirl in nearly equal measure on each moody, post-grunge song, just as the album’s title hints at.

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Like I’m Gonna Lose You

Meghan Trainor moves past loving her own backside and hating her beau’s lips to contemplating how precious every moment is when you’re in love.

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Pageant Material

Musgraves is back with an old-school country album that embraces many of the genre’s most familiar themes.

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