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.

Space Cadet

Space Cadet has its merits. But even as some of its messages reach a comfortable orbit, its problems pull it back down to earth.

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The Imaginary

The animated Netflix film The Imaginary is beautiful, scary and mostly clean. But its handful of problems aren’t imaginary at all.

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Five Quintessentially American Movies for The Fourth of July

These films don’t necessarily show America’s history, but they do exhibit what we’ve achieved, what we value and what we just kind of like.

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Movie Monday: ‘Inside Out 2’ Threepeats; ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Makes Some Noise

Inside Out 2 earned an estimated $57.4 million this weekend. Add in overseas earnings and it’s the first film this year to gross $1 billion.

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The Bible Goes to Hollywood: Seven Movies and Shows Based on Biblical Stories

Here’s a look at 7 movies and television shows based on the Bible. Plenty of your favorites are not included, but all of these are notable—for one reason or another.

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In a Violent Nature

In the über-bloody genre of slasher movies, is ‘In a Violent Nature’ the bloodiest? It very well may be.

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The Watchers

It’s a horror movie, but The Watchers stays within its PG-13 confines. Too bad it wanders away from sensible storytelling.

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Land of Women (Tierra de Mujeres)

Land of Women positions itself as a heartwarming story with unsavory secrets. Fitting that it comes with unwelcome surprises of its own.

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We Grown Now

We Grown Now is a work of cinematic poetry—a look at inner-city turmoil and poverty through the forgiving, knowing eyes of a child.

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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

‘Furiosa,’ a prequel to the much-praised ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ has all the action fans want—but more than a little sadism, too.

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Ezra

Ezra takes us on a cross-country road trip with an anger-prone father and his autistic son. And while it can be sweet, it’s often a bumpy ride.

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Movie Monday: ‘Inside Out 2’ Now the Year’s Biggest Film

Inside Out 2 just claimed the biggest debut since 2023’s Barbie en route to a no-doubt weekend win. But what would it do for an encore?

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Episode 239: A Look at ‘Inside Out 2.’ Plus Screens and Our Brains

First, we talk Inside Out 2. Then, Focus on the Family’s Dr. Daniel Huerta talks about how entertainment and technology impact our brains.

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Mars Express

The French film ‘Mars Express’ isn’t rated. But if it were, this sci-fi story would land an R rating—and we don’t mean for its robots.

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Sight

Based on a true story, ‘Sight’ gives us a resonant story, some inspiring characters—and a glimpse of God behind it all.

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