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.

2 men in masks in No Sudden Move

No Sudden Move

While the film can be twisty and satisfying, the lack of any real praise-worthy behavior feels a bit criminal in itself.

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Soldiers in the Tomorrow War

The Tomorrow War

This is a frenetic, bloody mess in some ways. But in that mess, you have moments of moral clarity about what is worth valuing.

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Two people sitting side by side

In the Dark

In the Dark is aptly named: Better to sit in the dark than watch this show.

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Music Is Powerful. ‘Summer of Soul’ Tells Us So.

You’ve probably never heard of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. But for those who attended, it was life changing.

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Bosch

The show, like its main character, can be pretty grim and rough

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Big Shot

While Big Shot hits a few three-pointers, it tosses up plenty of bricks, too.

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The Plugged In Show, Episode 83: When Antiheroes Become Our Heroes

Back in the day on TV, good was good, evil was evil, and never the twain would meet. But now, of course, they meet all the time.

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Plugged In Picks, TV: Eden

It has some nice messages about purpose and family. It’s also got a few problems, so be sure to check out our review before you check out the show.

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people exercising in Physical

Physical

Sheila hates everyone, most especially herself. Perhaps it’s fitting that the show, Physical, is so easy to dislike.

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The Plugged In Show, Episode 82: What’s the Draw With Dystopian Drama?

We can’t promise that we’ll engage in a battle royale over scarce resources, but we can guarantee a lively conversation.

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Dear CW: Don’t Mess With the Powerpuff Girls

I’ve been wondering whether you might eventually go too far. And it seems that, with your rumored retrofit of The Powerpuff Girls, you have.

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Picture of the main good guys from the anime movie Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train.

Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train

I was surprised by the redemptive messages I found—along with a bunch of severed demon heads.

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Two men in interrogation in Infinite

Infinite

Infinite feels like it’s found a fitting niche: To be seen by a few, unseen by most and quickly forgotten by all.

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Five Films for Father’s Day (For Every Taste)

Let’s look at some of cinema’s most powerful, provocative and prickly movies about dads (because we fathers don’t always know, or do, best).

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Lucifer

Lucifer

Lucifer’s not such a bad guy. Or at least that’s what Netflix would like you to believe.

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