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.

“Dark Horse”

Is Katy calling for commitment, or is she just casting creepy demands on love? That’s all we wanted to know after listening to her collaboration with Memphis rapper Juicy J on the EDM/rap/pop track “Dark Horse.”

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8:18

With Romans 8:18 as a jumping off point, this Christian metalcore group dives into the grim reality of humanity’s suffering.

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“Love Alone Is Worth the Fight”

“Love Alone Is Worth the Fight” encourages us that loving well is always worth it, even when (and maybe especially when) we feel lost and confused.

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“A Light That Never Comes”

Linkin Park teams up with DJ Steve Aoki in a pulsating ode to determination that’s only half as dark as its title suggests.

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True

Not content just to pump out another synth-laden, Euro-beat dance effort, Avicii alchemically blends country, rock, folk, funk, bluegrass, pop and electronica. He also mixes up his messages in much the same way.

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“Team”

Lorde imagines a murky, melancholy world in which isolated teens strive to find belonging and connection.

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars

A seventh ‘Star Wars’ film hits the big screen as a precursor to a new cable cartoon series.

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Fuse

Current American Idol judge Keith Urban decides to explore some new musical territory … as well as some that’s disappointingly familiar.

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The Ultimate Life

This follow-up to 2007’s The Ultimate Gift is both sequel and prequel, exploring what a true family legacy really is while weaving together the stories of an ambitious oil tycoon and his grandson.

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“The Fox”

Is Ylvis the new Psy? This sibling duo from Norway is sure giving it their best shot … by mimicking the fox?

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Yours Truly

Some have described Nickelodeon star Ariana Grande as a kinder, gentler (more conservative) alternative to Miley Cyrus. Is she?

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Instructions Not Included

This is a film that hits you from several angles—even as it gets gross and goofy sometimes.

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One Direction: This Is Us

This surging British/Irish boy band already looks like the heir apparent to ’90s acts Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. Now the group’s concert film hopes to extend the reach of the reign—a reign that’s inching in an increasingly edgy direction.

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Overcomer

The Grammy-winning Overcomer brims with faith, hope and perseverance—not to mention catchy pop hooks—as this former American Idol finalist bears constant witness to God’s redemptive work in a broken world.

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Madden NFL

UPDATED REVIEW: Over a quarter century old and still running like a kid right out of college, Madden lets loose a big cheer for the DEFENSE in its 2015 edition.

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