According to the Washington Post, there are 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9 seconds in a year. If you do some simple math, you can use this information to find the exact midpoint of the year.
Now, as a writer, I’m not going to embarrass myself and attempt to do the math. Instead, I’ll use the generally agreed-upon midpoint of the year—July 1.
Also known as tomorrow.
Yes, this weekend is not only special because of the upcoming July 4 holiday, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, or the potential clearing of the Canadian wildfire smoke, but also because it’s the halfway point of 2023.
This makes it a great time to sit back and reflect on the resolutions that we all made six months ago.
How is exercising every day? Getting more organized? Have you saved more money?
Of course not. (In fact, only about 9 percent of people actually complete their resolutions).
But focusing on goals and putting effort into self-improvement is important nonetheless, so at this midpoint of the year, it’s time to realign towards your goals. With six months left in the year, use this weekend as a launchpad to finish the year strong.
Or use it to watch movies.
If the latter is more your style, I’ve got you covered with this week’s Weekend Binge.
There are six new movies in Netflix’s Top 10 in the U.S., led by the heartbreaking documentary “Take Care of Maya.” This is a great watch if you’re looking for something emotionally impactful, but be prepared—you’ll be angry, you’ll be sad, you’ll be a mess.
“Accepted” also makes its first appearance in the Top 10 this week. This college comedy, which is my Pick of the Week, is full of laughs and a perfect movie if you’re looking for something easy to watch. It is a bit reminiscent of the late 90s early 00s college comedies “American Pie” and “Van Wilder,” but with a bit more heart. Don’t be swayed by the somewhat mediocre reviews; it’s a fun watch.
Other new arrivals this week include the romantic comedy “The Perfect Find,” historical fiction samurai action film “47 Ronin,” biographical war drama “Unbroken,” and Skip of the Week romance movie “Through My Window: Across the Sea.”
“Extraction 2” stayed in the number 1 spot and is also joined once again by “Extraction” in the number 4 spot. Both make a great option if you want to get your heart pumping a little while you sit on the couch (bonus points if your resolution is to exercise more).
Clint Eastwood’s “The Mule” moved up to number 2, and “Boss Baby” maintained its position in the Top 10 for the fifth consecutive week.
As always, here’s the weekly breakdown of each movie below. And perhaps more importantly, here’s to the second half of 2023.
- Extraction 2 (2023)Run Time: 2:02
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 74%
Weeks In Top 10: 2
Summary: Following the events of “Extraction,” the second Extraction follows Tyler Rake as he embarks on a dangerous mission to save a ruthless gangster’s family.
In a Few Words: Action-packed, Antihero, Explosions, New
You’ll Like it if You Like: “Mission Impossible,” “Taken,” “John Wick”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for a fun action movie that is a bit over the top but filled to the brim with exciting sequences or if you want to make a marathon of it and watch Extraction 1 and 2 this weekend.
- The Mule (2018)Run Time: 1:57
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 70%
Weeks In Top 10: 2
Summary: Broke, alone, and facing foreclosure on his business, 90-year-old horticulturist Earl Stone takes a job as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. His immediate success leads to easy money and a larger shipment that soon draws the attention of hard-charging DEA agent Colin Bates. When Earl’s past mistakes start to weigh heavily on his conscience, he must decide whether to right those wrongs before law enforcement and cartel thugs catch up to him.
In a Few Words: Drama, Crime, Aging, Clint Eastwood
You’ll Like it if You Like: “Gran Torino,” “No Country for Old Men,” “The Irishman”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for an engaging, emotionally impactful crime drama that spotlights the importance of your decisions and their consequences.
- Take Care of Maya (2023)Run Time: 1:43
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%
Weeks In Top 10: 1
Summary: When nine-year-old Maya Kowalski was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in 2016, nothing could have prepared her or her family for what they were about to go through. As the medical team tried to understand her rare illness, they began to question the basic truths that bound the Kowalskis together. Suddenly, Maya was in state custody—despite two parents who were desperate to bring their daughter home.
In a Few Words: Documentary, Healthcare System, Heartbreaking, True Story
You’ll Like it if You Like: “The Bleeding Edge,” “Death of a Child,” “Girl in the Picture”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for a documentary that will break your heart, make you angry, and have you crying the entire time.
- Extraction (2020)Run Time: 1:56
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 67%
Weeks In Top 10: 2
Summary: A black-market mercenary who has nothing to lose is hired to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. But in the murky underworld of weapons dealers and drug traffickers, an already deadly mission approaches the impossible.
In a Few Words: Action, Violence, Fun
You’ll Like it if You Like: “The Raid: Redemption,” “The Bourne Identity,” “Man On Fire”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for a nonstop action movie or want to watch “Extraction 2” this weekend as well.
- The Perfect Find (2023)Run Time: 1:39
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 76%
Weeks In Top 10: 1
Summary: Everything is at stake for a 40-year-old woman: her career, her ticking biological clock, and her bank account. She risks it all for an intense, secret romance with the one person who could destroy her comeback—her boss’ son.
In a Few Words: Romcom, Fun, Forbidden Love
You’ll Like it if You Like: “The Photograph,” “Love & Basketball,” “Poetic Justice”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for a romcom that doesn’t necessarily do anything new but is enjoyable nonetheless.
- Boss Baby (2017)Run Time: 1:37
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 53%
Weeks In Top 10: 5
Summary: “Boss Baby” is an animated comedy that tells the story of Tim, an only child whose world is turned upside down with the arrival of a suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying talking baby named Theodore. Tim quickly realizes that Theodore is not a normal baby but instead a secret agent on a mission to uncover a plot that threatens the balance between babies and puppies.
In a Few Words: Family-friendly, Funny, Heartwarming, Animated
You’ll Like it if You Like: “Despicable Me,” “Megamind,” “The Incredibles”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for a kids’ movie that is enjoyable for adults who don’t want to think too much.
- 47 Ronin (2013)Run Time: 2:08
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 16%
Weeks In Top 10: 1
Summary: In feudal Japan, Lord Asano rules his province with fairness. However, jealous Lord Kira fears that the shogun favors Asano over him and hatches a plot that ends with Asano’s ritual suicide. After Asano’s death, his samurai, led by Oishi, are forced to live as outcasts. Oishi wanders for several years but realizes that he must turn to Kai, a mixed-blood warrior he once rejected, to help him and his ronin comrades take revenge on Lord Kira.
In a Few Words: Fantasy, Japanese Folklore, Historical Fiction, Samurai
You’ll Like it if You Like: “The Last Samurai,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “The Great Wall”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for a historical fiction samurai adventure with mythical creatures and Japanese folklore.
- Accepted (2006) – Pick of the WeekRun Time: 1:33
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 38%
Weeks In Top 10: 1
Summary: After receiving his latest college rejection letter, senior Bartleby Gaines devises a novel way to fool everyone into thinking he is college-bound: Open his own university. Bartleby and his similarly stymied friends take over an abandoned building, create a fake website, hire a friend’s uncle to pose as the dean, and—presto—a school is born. However, they do their jobs too well, and soon many other rejects try to gain admittance to the nonexistent South Harmon Institute of Technology.
In a Few Words: Comedy, College, Lighthearted, Coming of Age
You’ll Like it if You Like: “American Pie,” “Superbad,” “Van Wilder”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for a hilarious movie with a unique premise that touches on coming-of-age themes.
- Unbroken (2014)Run Time: 2:17
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 52%
Weeks In Top 10: 1
Summary: As a boy, Louis “Louie” Zamperini is always in trouble, but with the help of his older brother, he turns his life around and channels his energy into running, later qualifying for the 1936 Olympics. When World War II breaks out, Louie enlists in the military. After his plane crashes in the Pacific, he survives an incredible 47 days adrift in a raft until his capture by the Japanese navy. Sent to a POW camp, Louie becomes the favorite target of a particularly cruel prison commander.
In a Few Words: War Drama, Inspirational, Biographical
You’ll Like it if You Like: “Lone Survivor,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “The Railway Man”
You Should Watch it if: You’re looking for a biographical war drama featuring an inspiring story of resilience and bravery.
- Through My Window: Across the Sea (2023) – Skip of the WeekRun Time: 1:49
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 0%
Weeks In Top 10: 1
Summary: Through My Window is a story about two teenagers, Charlie and Isabella, who fall in love online, despite being on opposite sides of the world. As their relationship deepens, they make plans to meet in person, but circumstances and unexpected events make their journey more complicated than they could have imagined.
In a Few Words: Romance, Long-Distance Relationships, Sex, New
You’ll Like it if You Like: “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Before Sunrise,” “Every Day”
You Should Watch it if: You’re a fan of romance movies and enjoy stories about the challenges of long-distance relationships.
As always, let me know in the comments what you decide to watch this weekend, and while you’re at it, let me know your resolutions for the second half of 2023.
