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.

Widow’s Bay

Apple TV+’s horror-comedy ‘Widow’s Bay’ takes us to a deceptively bucolic island that hides some serious issues. The same could be said for the series itself.

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apex

Apex

‘Apex’ falls short of its lofty title. Despite its strong performances, the film loses its grip and slips into the overpopulated realm of needlessly grotesque thrillers.

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Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85

While Netflix says that the animated ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ is a kinder, gentler sort of ‘Stranger Things’ show, that hardly makes it kind or gentle.

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Orangutan

Nature can be brutal—but it can be beautiful and funny, too. ‘Orangutan,’ playing on Disney+, serves as a nice reminder of the latter.

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movie monday

Movie Monday: Familiar Holdovers Bury ‘The Mummy’

Hey, Hollywood! Are you taking note? Good, strong, clean movies continue to (ahem) clean up at the box office.

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Beef

Netflix’s newest show is well done, you might say. But Plugged In has a beef with some of its problems.

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Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Despite some really encouraging thoughts on the preciousness of life, ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ is awash in troubles of its own.

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Undertone

Unquestionably effective, ‘Undertone’ may be the year’s scariest movie—but it’s a difficult, disturbing and demonic ride.

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The Faithful: Women of the Bible

Fox’s ‘The Faithful’ explores stories from the Bible through the eyes of biblical matriarchs, highlighting these women’s incredible faith.

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the boys

The Boys

Amazon’s dark and cynical homage to superheroes is neither super, nor heroic.

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super mario galaxy movie

We Loved ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.’ Are Video Game Movies the New Hollywood Cheat Code? Plus, an Interview with ‘A Great Awakening’s Joshua Enck (VIDEO)

Does ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ prove Hollywood is getting better at making video game movies? Plus, an interview with Joshua Enck!

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movie monday

Movie Monday: ‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Starts Positively Peachy

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was as good as its name. Plumbers Mario and Luigi led the film to a cosmically super five-day start, blasting to $190.1 million in North America and a staggering $372.5 million opening frame worldwide. Wowser, Bowser. You m …

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For All Mankind

What if the Russians had landed the moon first? This Apple TV+ drama imagines how that alternate reality might have played out.

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If It’s Tuesday, It’s Murder

You won’t be surprised that murder is part of Hulu’s latest import, ‘If It’s Tuesday, It’s Murder.’ But the level of profanity is unexpected.

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Dolly

‘Dolly’ is devoid of ethical merit and proud of it. It is a ridiculous exercise in gore production—and unapologetically so.

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