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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Bad Education (HBO)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Ray Romano
Synopsis: This new HBO original film is based on a true story about the biggest case of embezzlement in school history. As the end roll shows you, about $11 million was taken over time by a group that included the top to administrators (Jackman and Janney) at a Long Island School District. This film tells the story of what they did with it, and how they got caught. That includes the fact this huge story was broken by a high school reporter (Viswanathan). I thought the performances here were quite good and the film was pretty engaging for what it is. HBO is great at making original films that are interesting and compelling, and this one is no exception. There is some humor, there are some twists, and this sheds light on a story few are familiar with.
Rating: TV-MA
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Extraction (Netflix)
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, David Harbour, Golshifteh Farahani, and Rudhraksh Jaiswal
Synopsis: Joe Russo, one half of the team who has helmed the most important pieces of the Marvel Cinematic Universe the past few years, crafted the screenplay here, with story help from his brother Anthony. Both served as producers as well. The film is based on the Graphic Novel "Ciudad," and the Russo Brothers went and recruited Hemsworth, otherwise known as Thor, to headline the film for Netflix. Hemsworth is solid in the role, about a mercenary sent to extract a kid (Jaiswal) in India. He ends up getting attached and risking himself to save the kid, possibly to atone for what he couldn't do for his own kid. It's a pretty familiar formula and tale, but the action in the movie is done well and Hemsworth does a good job carrying the action. This season has been a boon to Netflix films, and these kind of movies prove that the streamer has adapted to a wide range of offerings to help make it relevant to all audiences, especially in the time when we're trapped at home.
Rating:  R for strong bloody violence throughout, language and brief drug use.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

The Willoughbys (Netflix)
Starring: Will Forte, Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Sean Cullen, Alessia Cara, and Terry Crews
Synopsis: This latest Netflix offering is an animated film based on the book from Lois Lowry. This is a fun, light and colorful animated adventure. Is the story quirky and strange? Of course. Is it still engaging and fun to watch? Yes. We've seen Netflix break through in a number of areas when it comes to competing for higher recognition and awards. It appears they're making that run at animation, too. Last year's Christmas-themed offering of "Klaus" was well received and films like "The Willoughbys," with an engaging style and story and well-known voice cast are showing that Netflix is here to stay in the arena of animation. If you're looking for something fun during the time of quarantine, "The Willoughbys" is there for you.
Rating: PG for rude humor and some thematic elements.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.