Our next screening at The Cube Cinema Series will be a very interesting and thoughtful film, The Outrun, on Friday, Aug. 7. This beautiful film hits hard, and close to home for many of us who have dealt with substance abuse but remain hopeful. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the film starts at 7pm.

As usual, we will collect food for the MSU Denver food pantry, and you will receive a token for free popcorn and a drink with a donation. More information and tickets at mca80238.com.

The Outrun (2024)

The film is an adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir of the same name. The story centers around Rona, a young woman who returns home to Scotland’s Orkney Islands after a volatile stint living in London. Rona is struggling with alcohol abuse, and while in London, she loses everything—university, friends, and boyfriend. She returns home to live with her divorced parents, both of whom are busy and struggling in their own lives. Rona seeks help, attempts to regain her old life, and then decides to just keep moving further and further away, literally (hence the title).

The Outrun

When I first saw the film in 2024, I was blown away by Saoirse Ronan’s performance as Rona (and some great secondary performances as well). The film is sneakily excellent at every technical aspect, including brilliant cinematography, dynamic editing, captivating settings, and expressive sound. The depiction of substance abuse is real and visceral, but not without humanity and grace, and injects humor at just the right moments. I knew right away that I wanted to bring the film to The Cube, as well as to my students, and give it the attention it deserves. I hope to see you there.

August is still a slow month for film releases before the busy fall season, so I give you two TV shows that are easy binging options for the last few weeks before school starts. Enjoy these interesting shows from Apple TV.

Widow’s Bay 

This wacky comedy/thriller/horror show starring the always excellent Matthew Rhys (The Americans) is one of the quirkier shows I’ve come across in a while. Rhys plays the mayor of a small island off the coast of New England who wishes to juice the local economy by embracing tourism and modernizing the aging infrastructure. Time has passed the sleepy island by, and many of the residents wish to keep it that way; perhaps they should? The fun begins immediately as the thriller/horror aspects emanate from island lore about curses and doomed journeys to the mainland. It gets strange very quickly.

Widow’s Bay

The ensemble cast here is excellent, including Stephen Root as a crusty, superstitious native; Kate O’Flynn as a struggling poet who doubles as the mayor’s assistant; and Kevin Carroll as the abrasive sheriff who just wants to leave the island behind. All get fully fleshed characterizations as the show moves along, and the action gets more curious. It is hilarious, well-written, well-acted, and intelligent material that has hints of Waiting for Guffman or Best in Show, with a little murder and mayhem sprinkled in.

Criminal Record

This detective thriller (two seasons now) stars Cush Jumbo as a young detective trying to make a name on the London police force and (the always intriguing) Peter Capaldi as an older colleague trying to cement—or, more urgently, hang on to—his legacy. It is not necessarily a straightforward procedural, and it is a bit darker and more serious than Slow Horses, its more popular cousin on the same network, but the enticing two seasons should get you to the beginning of the school year.

Vincent Piturro, PhD, is a professor of film and media studies at MSU Denver. Email him at vpiturro@msudenver.edu. For more reviews, search The Indie Prof at FrontPorchNE.com.