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.

Plugged In Movie Awards 2021: Best Movies for Teens

Normally, this category is chock full of big sci-fi blockbusters and superhero movies. But as we know, this year was a little different

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Plugged In Movie Awards 2021: Best Movies for Kids

Our annual Plugged In Movie Awards give us the opportunity to applaud movies that did things right.

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We see at man at an easel painting.

The Last Vermeer

The movie’s version of Han van Meegeren seems to like to shock people. And, years after his own death, he still just might.

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Behind Her Eyes

This trippy, erotic mystery thriller is something David Cronenberg might love. Your family likely won’t.

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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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9-1-1

The first responders on Fox’s drama are folks doing their best. But the show, like their jobs, can get a little messy.

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A woman stares out across a barren landscape.

Nomadland

Both lyrical and earthy, Nomadland strikes a chord, forcing audiences to consider what they value … and what they should.

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A young girl holds and smiles at a squirrel in her hands.

Flora & Ulysses

Flora & Ulysses reminds us that the world around us—even minus superpowered squirrels—is a pretty wonderous place.

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Even Great Animated Movies Can Make Bad Babysitters

In 2020, faith and spirituality was a huge part of many of its best animated movies. And not always in the best of ways.

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Two men walk in the woods.

Supernova

Supernova has many a problem, but its core strength is that it poignantly tells us something we already know: It’s hard to say goodbye.

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A young man and woman walk down a small-town street.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

in spite of some minor flaws, this film offers a surprising level of warmth and depth.

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Black Lightning

Sure, it has some charged characters and occasionally electric storytelling. But the content can be stormy indeed.

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Still image of a black man speaking in the movie "Judas and the Black Messiah."

Judas and the Black Messiah

Judas and the Black Messiah is, on one level, a historical drama. On another, it’s a movie very much of the moment.

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Dark Night of the Screen: How My Depression and My Job Meet

When we’re at a loss for words, entertainment helps us find the pictures—the communication tools we’re looking for.

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The Equalizer

Just as you would be with the Equalizer herself, this is a show to approach with caution.

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