Contributor: Paul Asay

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.

Dream Productions

‘Dream Productions’ comes with a few issues. But if parents keep an eye open for them, they can mostly rest easy.

Read more

Episode 264: Is Social Media Ruining Our Kids? Plus, Netflix’s ‘Mary’

What does FX and Hulu’s docuseries ‘Social Studies’ reveal about our kids? And what do parents need to know about Netflix’s ‘Mary’?

Read more

Maria

‘Maria’ is much like its namesake opera singer: complex, frustrating, problematic and, when it finds its voice, beautiful.

Read more
the best Christmas pageant ever

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Barbara Robinson’s classic book, ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’ lands on screen. And it’s pretty great.

Read more

Movie Monday: ‘Moana 2’ Lands in First Place Again

This week’s top box office earners were practically identical to last week’s. But beyond the top five, things get unpredictable.

Read more

Episode 263: All I Want for Christmas Is What TikTok Tells Me. Plus, Kevin Sorbo

LISTEN TO THE PLUGGED IN SHOW, EPISODE 263 What’re the hottest gifts this Christmas season? Just ask social media’s biggest stars, and they’ll tell you. According to Digital Voices, 73% of Gen Z shoppers are planning on getting gifts based on the opini …

Read more

Weekend in Taipei

In the world of R-rated films, this is one of the softer ones you’ll find. But you might also find better ways to spend your weekend.

Read more
exhibiting forgiveness

Exhibiting Forgiveness

Exhibiting Forgiveness examines the complexities of pain and faith, of messy families and messier redemption, with sincerity and clarity.

Read more

Movie Monday: ‘Moana 2’ Sails to Record Win

Moana 2 feasted on Thanksgiving receipts to the tune of $221 million over the five-day extended holiday weekend.

Read more

Episode 262: Creating with AI – A Parents’ Primer. Plus, ‘Moana 2’

Does AI help or hurt the creativity process? And what exactly should parents know about Moana 2?

Read more

Just in Time for Thanksgiving, 5 Family-Friendly Films about Food

Ah, Thanksgiving. A time when we come together to give thanks for our many blessings, eat, spend time with our loved ones, eat, watch football, eat … You get the idea. Thanksgiving is about a lot of stuff—but stuffing (and the rest of the food on your …

Read more

Movie Monday: ‘Wicked’ Has Oz-um Opening

‘Glicked’ didn’t do quite as well as last summer’s ‘Barbenheimer,’ but it’s certainly not green with envy either.

Read more

Blitz

Blitz has all the ingredients of a prestige, awards-season drama. But at the end of the day it’s a simple story of a mother and a little boy, desperate to come home.

Read more
john rhys-davies

A Conversation with John Rhys-Davies

We’ve seen John-Rhys Davies as Sallah in ‘Indiana Jones’ and Gimli in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ films. But we’ve heard his talent, too …

Read more

Movie Monday: ‘Red One’ Flies to Victory

Red One, wherein Santa Claus himself is kidnapped, went to the top of the box office, unwrapping $34 million worth of North American Christmas cheer.

Read more