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.

The Book of Life

It’s called The Book of Life, but it takes place on the Day of the Dead and in the Land of the Forgotten. That’s the big spiritual conundrum.

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.5: The Gray Chapter

The first new album from Slipknot in six years broods and churns and rants in metallic mourning for the loss of bandmate Paul Gray to a drug overdose.

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Whiplash

Andrew Neiman’s determined to become one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time. To get there he’ll have to survive the tutelage of a ruthless mentor.

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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Walt Disney wrote the book on sweet, silly, slapstick family movies like this one.

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Old Boots, New Dirt

A No. 1 album. A sold-out tour. And a star that just keeps rising. Billboard magazine didn’t label country rocker Jason Aldean “King of the Bros” for nothing.

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Hozier

When Irish newcomer Andrew Hozier-Byrne sings, “Take Me to Church,” you may want to know what kind of worship service he actually attends.

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Gone Girl

This adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel is filled with enough graphic content to earn the strongest warning Plugged In can give.

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“Habits (Stay High)”

Forget about Roxette. Sweden’s latest pop sensation is now dressed for success—but still a long, long way from ABBA.

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“Love Me Harder”

When Ariana Grande asks her man to “love me harder,” what exactly is she asking for? More security or deep conversation? A wedding ring? Something else entirely?

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Bringing Back the Sunshine

Prayin’ and drinkin’, lovin’ and leavin’. It’s all there on The Voice judge Blake Shelton’s chart-topping ode to all things country.

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“Yellow Flicker Beat”

Lorde has been tapped not only to contribute to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 soundtrack, but to serve as its musical overseer.

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“Something in the Water”

Carrie Underwood wants her fans to know that when you let Jesus take the wheel, He just might drive you straight into the water. (The water of baptism.)

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“Steal My Girl”

The only things missing from One Direction’s ’80s-esque, piano-filled ballad about loving faithfully are Journey’s Steve Perry and Neil Schon.

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Punisher: War Zone

Marvel reboots an ultra-violent franchise … now with even more ultra-violence!

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Believe Me

That tension between satire and salaciousness on the one hand and godly convictions and calling on the other is something Believe Me relishes.

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