In this episode of Outsider In, Ricky sits down with his longtime friends and repertory programmers Cristina Cacioppo (Nitehawk Cinema) and Caroline Golum (Spectacle Theater) to break down the films that defined 2025 — from underground cult gems to mainstream standouts and everything in between.

They cover the full spectrum of cinema:

• Sinners — the music scene that might be the best cinematic moment of the year, and a rare “horny movie for grownups.”
• The dream DOUBLE FEATURE: Magic Mike XXL + Staying Alive — a deep dive into masculinity, movement, and audience dynamics.
• Sam Raimi’s Send Help — why this horror-comedy delivers on both suspense and fun.
• Epic: The Elvis Presley Movie — a spectacular theatrical experience and portrait of musical charisma.
• Under-the-radar favorites, including indie hits, festival darlings, and cult classics that rarely hit screens outside repertory theaters.
• AND MORE

Along the way, they discuss what makes films feel alive in a theater, why some front-runners succeed beyond hype, and why repertory programming matters for preserving and reintroducing cinema history.

Whether you’re an indie film enthusiast, a cinephile, or someone who wants context for the year’s most talked-about movies, this episode delivers sharp insight, lively debate, and personal stories from people who live and breathe cinema.

00:00 – Intro: Movies of the Year & Theatrical Experience
05:12 – Sinners: Best Scene, Cultural Resonance, and “Horny Movies for Grownups”
14:40 – Magic Mike XXL: Masculinity, Audience, and Performance
21:30 – Send Help (Sam Raimi): Horror, Humor, and Suspense
28:10 – Epic: The Elvis Movie: Spectacle and Musical Genius
34:50 – Cult, Indie, and Festival Favorites: If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Familiar Touch, Measures for a Funeral, Forgetting You Is Like Breathing Water
44:30 – Front-Runners vs Underground: Balancing Hype, Programming, and Theatrical Experience
50:50 – Closing Thoughts: Why Repertory Cinema and Live Audiences Matter

Sinners film analysis, Magic Mike XXL breakdown, Send Help Sam Raimi, Epic Elvis movie review, indie film podcast, cult movies 2025, repertory cinema, Nitehawk Cinema, Spectacle Theater, Ricky Tucker podcast, Outsider In, theatrical experience, movies of the year 2025, festival favorites, cinema discussion

In this episode, Ricky interviews Jeromme, the creator of the Club MTV fan page, discussing the cultural significance of Club MTV, the challenges of archiving dance shows, and the evolution of music videos. They explore memorable performances, the legacy of dancers, and the decline of MTV as a cultural force, while also touching on the future of dance and music video choreography.

Sound Bites

• "[Downtown Julie Brown]—she's been super cool."
• "It really is a public service."
• "I would love to make a documentary."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Club MTV and Its Impact

02:50 Archiving Dance Culture: The Journey

05:49 The Evolution of Dance Shows

10:07 Community and Collaboration in Archiving

14:16 Notable Dancers and Their Legacy

17:56 Comparing Club MTV and The Grind

20:23 The Decline of MTV and Music Video Culture

21:48 Navigating Copyright in Archiving

31:35 The Future of Dance and Music Videos

Keywords:

Club MTV, dance shows, archiving, pop culture, music videos, nostalgia, 80s, 90s, MTV history, dance culture

Summary:

In this engaging episode, Ricky sits down with Elyssa Maxx Goodman, a writer, historian, and drag scholar, to discuss her latest book, "Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City." They delve into the vibrant history of drag, exploring its roots in New York City and its impact on culture both locally and globally. Elyssa shares personal anecdotes about her introduction to drag, the influence of her parents, and the significance of drag as an art form. The conversation also touches on the challenges and triumphs within the drag community, the evolution of language and identity, and the ongoing cultural and political dynamics affecting drag performers today.

Keywords:

drag history, New York City, Elyssa Maxx Goodman, Glitter and Concrete, drag culture, LGBTQ+, drag queens, drag kings, cultural history, identity

Takeaways:

• Elyssa Maxx Goodman shares her deep connection to the New York City drag scene, which inspired her book.
• The book "Glitter and Concrete" fills a gap in documenting the unique impact of New York's drag culture.
• Elyssa's introduction to drag was influenced by her parents and early exposure to films like "To Wong Foo."
• The conversation highlights the diverse history of drag, including male impersonators and the gender spectrum.
• Elyssa discusses the challenges of defining drag and the evolving language around gender and identity.
• The episode explores the socio-political factors that have influenced the acceptance and backlash against drag.
• Elyssa emphasizes the importance of recording and preserving drag history to prevent erasure.
• The discussion includes the role of drag in cultural rebellion and its acceptance during times of social upheaval.
• Elyssa shares insights into the pageantry and evolution of ballroom culture and its significance.
• The episode concludes with Elyssa's reflections on her favorite drag performers and her future projects.

Sound bites:

• "Drag is an art form that embodies transformation."
• "New York's drag scene has a unique impact on culture."
• "Recording drag history is crucial to prevent erasure."
• "Drag has faced backlash during times of social upheaval."
• "The language of drag and identity is constantly evolving."
• "Ballroom culture has deep historical roots."
• "Drag is a dynamic art form that challenges norms."
• "My book fills a gap in documenting drag's history."
• "Drag's acceptance often coincides with cultural rebellion."
• "The New York drag scene was my introduction to drag."

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 Introduction to Elyssa Maxx Goodman
• 00:00:00 The Inspiration Behind 'Glitter and Concrete'
• 00:00:00 Exploring Drag's Diverse History
• 00:00:00 Language, Identity, and Drag
• 00:00:01 Cultural and Political Dynamics of Drag
• 00:00:01 Ballroom Culture and Pageantry
• 00:00:01 Reflections and Future Projects