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.

To Pimp a Butterfly

Kendrick Lamar’s third album propels him into the mainstream with a uniquely raw exploration of racism, class warfare, celebrity excess and depression.

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Rebel Heart

“Once again, I’m defying the convention that you can’t be both” spiritual and sexual, says the Material Girl about her 13th studio album.

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The Raid: Redemption

This subtitled Indonesian actioner wins the Worst Title of the Year award for making us think anything good can come out of such vicious carnage.

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“Want to Want Me”

A little Cheap Trick, a little Whitney Houston, a little Michael Jackson … and a lot of fleshly fixation.

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Rocky Balboa

Did you laugh when you first saw the trailer for Rocky Balboa? We did. But we weren’t still chuckling after we saw this surprising comeback tale. This is not JUST Rocky VI.

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The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

It’s not a second-rate residence that’s being talked about here. Or is it?

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The Drop Box

This Focus on the Family and Kindred Image documentary tells the story of a South Korean pastor who’s dedicated his life to embracing and protecting his community’s most vulnerable children.

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Piece by Piece

Whether she’s evoking pop, rock, R&B or EDM stylings, Kelly Clarkson’s self-confidence-meets-spitfire-spirit remains more than evident on her seventh studio effort, Piece by Piece.

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“I Want You to Know”

Selena Gomez guests on the first big Stateside hit from Russian-German EDM producer Anton Zaslavski, better known as Zedd. (Or is it Mr. Gomez?)

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Renegades

It’s been tough sledding for rock musicians in the music world for, well, quite a while now. But a handful of intrepid bands have shown the way forward when it comes to achieving mainstream acclaim and radio airplay. At the top of that list in the last …

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Worth It

Is the highest-charting hit from Simon Cowell’s latest musical amalgamation empowering or demeaning?

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“I Want You to Know”

Selena Gomez guests on the first big Stateside hit from Russian-German EDM producer Anton Zaslavski, better known as Zedd. (Or is it Mr. Gomez?)

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The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling 2003 novel about two Afghan friends inspires a heartrending movie about friendship, failure and forgiveness.

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“I Really Like You”

Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen scored one of 2012’s biggest hits with “Call Me Maybe.” Now she’s hoping for a repeat with “I Really Like You,” a song that finds her really flirting with romantic disaster.

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Of Beauty and Rage

Christian metallers RED return with a dramatic, boundary-pushing concept album about the “dichotomy of good and evil.”

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