ALSO SHOWING...

Greyhound

Cert 12A, 91 mins

★★★✩✩

ALL the performances are tip-top in this proudly old-fashioned Second World War epic starring Tom Hanks, also making his screenwriting debut. Working from a 1955 novel, The Good Shepherd, Hanks does an efficient job. But does he cover himself in glory? Not really. It’s 1942 and modest, God-fearing Ernest

Krause (Hanks), has been made captain of a US destroyer. Now he must sail it through the North Atlantic, protecting Allied ships. Anxious Ernie mangles his crew’s names and makes a few iffy decisions that cause him to become guilt-ridden and confused. Which is fascinating. But mostly he just stands around, binoculars in hand, watching waves. He also clings to memories of his beloved (Elisabeth Shue). She exclaims, early on, “The world has gone crazy, Ernie!’ This whole film could do with being more crazy.

• Apple TV

Arkansas

Cert 15, 117 mins

★★★✩✩

A TARANTINO-ESQUE crime thriller with a handful of biggish names (Liam Hemsworth, pictured, John Malkovich, Vivica A. Fox), all on splendid form. You may wonder about the witty drug dealer who looks like Timmy Mallett. He’s actually director/ writer Clark Duke, and he’s very charismatic. It’s refreshing and entertaining to watch him play the film’s only Romeo, opposite Eden Brolin (Josh’s daughter). Just as pleasing is the bit where The Flaming Lips perform a euphoric cover of He Stopped Loving Her Today. Every music choice is inspired; a shame Duke’s writing and direction can’t quite keep up.

• On digital platforms

The Way Back

Cert 15, 108 mins

★★✩✩✩

OH GREAT, another sports weepie. Ben Affleck is Jack, a former basketball star who’s now a sweary alcoholic, with a dark secret connected to his ex-wife (Janina Gavankar; wasted). He’s offered a shot at redemption — a priest asks him to coach kids at the Catholic school he used to attend. Obviously, it’s the right thing to do (Jack lives under dark clouds, both literal and metaphorical; note how, when he’s on church property, the sky turns blue). Cameraman Eduard Grau seems to think he’s working on an off-beat indie movie, the sort made by Affleck’s brother Casey. Unlike Manchester by the Sea, this movie isn’t interested in real pain. Way to go, Ben.

• On digital platforms