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.

Episode 295: The Jesus Glow. Plus, ‘Smurfs’

What does the “Jesus Glow” trend on TikTok say about the impact influencers have on faith? Plus, the new movie, Smurfs.

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Five Reasons Why Superman (the Character) Really Is Super

When I was about 5 years old, I argued with a friend of mine (over a Pringles-and-Kool-Aid snack, as I recall) about whether Superman was real or not. He said yes. I said no. (Even then, I was a cynic.) Thankfully, we knew how to settle the matter: Go …

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Episode 294: Is Superman Just Too Good? Plus, a Super-Important Announcement

Everything you need to know about the new Superman flick and Nintendo’s Mario Kart World for the Switch 2.

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Ballard

‘Ballard,’ a spinoff from the long-running ‘Bosch’ television shows, comes with the same crime procedural DNA—and many of the same problems.

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The Old Guard 2

Despite being about a bunch of immortal fighters, Netflix’s ‘The Old Guard 2’ nevertheless feels pretty disposable.

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Squid Game

Netflix might not have banked on Squid Game being its most popular show ever. But it sure knew it wanted it bloody.

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The Last Rodeo

For a faith-based movie, The Last Rodeo is a bit of a bumpy ride. But if you make it to the buzzer, the payoff is surprisingly sweet.

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thunderbolts

Thunderbolts*

It’s got all the problems you’d expect from a superhero flick, and a few more besides. But it comes with a lot of heart, and hope, too.

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The Chosen: Last Supper—Part Three

Last Supper—Part Three is a powerful, creative and at times breathtakingly poignant film, sometimes slipping into the realm of poetry.

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The Chosen: Last Supper—Part Two

Belief has always been perhaps the core element of The Chosen, but it seems especially critical in The Chosen: Last Supper—Part Two.

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Final Destination Bloodlines

Most characters in ‘Final Destination Bloodlines’ serve as grotesque punchlines for the film’s Rube Goldberg-like termination sequences.

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The Chosen: Last Supper—Part One

Last Supper—Part One continues its compelling and powerful narrative walk—infusing a story most of us know with a new sense of urgency.

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Echo Valley

A stable full of problems populates ‘Echo Valley.’ It’s not worth mucking out this Apple TV+ mess starring Sydney Sweeny and Julianne Moore.

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how to train your dragon

Episode 290: A Chat with Dean DeBlois, Director of ‘How to Train Your Dragon.’ Plus, ‘Bad Influencers’

DreamWorks has taken their popular animated feature ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and turned it into a full-fledged live-action film …

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Ginny & Georgia

Ginny & Georgia is, at best, trashy escapism not fit for the teens it’s aimed at. At worst, it’s just plain trash.

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