Contributor: Lauren Cook

Lauren Cook Bio Pic

Lauren Cook is serving as a 2021 summer intern for the Parenting and Youth department at Focus on the Family. She is studying film and screenwriting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. You can get her talking for hours about anything from Star Wars to her family to how Inception was the best movie of the 2010s. But more than anything, she’s passionate about showing how every form of art in some way reflects the Gospel. Coffee is a close second.

Police opening a trap door - Three Pines

Three Pines

Viewers should be aware of the good and bad that come with this murder mystery, as well as the potential of bigger issues to come.

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woman in a fur coat on a beach - Rihanna's "Lift Me Up" music video

Lift Me Up

Through universal and ambiguous lyrics, global superstar Rihanna gives a voice to anyone struggling with grief and hardship.

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father and daughter hug - Lopez vs. Lopez

Lopez vs. Lopez

Content issues surround a message about the importance of family in this semi-autobiographical sitcom.

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Joe Bell

Much like the man himself, Joe Bell has a good heart but struggles to show it.

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Happier Than Ever

The superstar’s sophomore album has some themes worth exploring, but they’re almost impossible to get to through the content issues.

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two people sitting on a car hood

Roswell, New Mexico

Lots of folks are worried about illegal aliens, including some folks in the small New Mexico town of Roswell. One podcaster who hangs out at the local diner seems particularly put out by the possibility the hamlet might be overrun. “Aliens are going to …

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transformer robots

Transformers: War for Cybertron: Kingdom

Older kids might enjoy the series, but younger ones may be put off by frightening content and a convoluted plot.

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Jellystone!

The Yogi Bear revival provides fun, if mindless, adventures for a new generation to enjoy.

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Two women walking

Dead Pixels

While this British import captures gaming culture reasonably well, what we see on screen can be pretty graphic.

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animals attend high school

Beastars

The anime series presents an interesting world, but it’s weighed down by sexual content and questionable themes.

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Jolt movie

Jolt

Jolt is frustrating in that it doesn’t give its audience much to root for.

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A young woman dressed as an old one for a heist

Heist

Heist’s message about the pointlessness of crime doesn’t exactly excuse the questionable methods it uses to get it across.

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Good Mythical Morning youtube video

Good Mythical Morning

The incredibly popular YouTube variety show juggles family friendly fun and games with less innocuous references.

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H.E.R. Back of My Mind album cover

Back of My Mind

The rising R&B star’s full-length album is full of emotion and honesty, as well as confused interpretations of love.

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A family portrait from the movie "The Guide to the Perfect Family."

The Guide to the Perfect Family

The Guide to the Perfect Family wants you to know that the picturesque family you follow on Instagram probably has the same issues you do.

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