For today's edition of the Condition, I speak to another film writer who I know for a fact listens to the podcast. The guest is John Lichman, online producer for "The Rotten Tomatoes Show" on the Current channel and contributor to The House Next Door. Some of you may be aware of the joyfully inebriated, film-critic podcast he also used to do for the site.

We discuss the fine art of moderating podcasts (whether you're drunk or sober), our love for Armond White, the new Paul Giamatti movie "Cold Souls," the ever-growing need for studios to drop senseless summer blockbusters based on toys and Lichman's love for the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie "Bloodsport." The mention of this movie brings up an unfortunate, painful, childhood memory for me. I won't get into detail here (I go into much graphic detail on the podcast), but there's a good chance you'll never look at Vicks VapoRub the same way again. You can also download it here.

I'm taking a brief online break, so check back the week after next for podcasts. Besides, I'm sure you'll need to take a breather from me after the VapoRub story.

On today's installment, I talk to Daniel Johnson, Chapel Hill film blogger and former employer of a recently shut-down independent theater in his neighborhood. I talk to him about the closing of that theater as well as his not-yet-finished book of conspiracy movies. And, somehow, I also manage to explain Armond White to him, which, somehow, ends up with me defending the man. I don't remember how we got there, but it happened.

We also establish that Roger Ebert is still a pimp. Just thought you should know. You can also download it here.

FRIDAY: Getting into it about "Gigli" with the former owner of a lower-back tattoo.

On today's certain-to-divide installment of the Condition, I talk to Steven Boone, East Coast freelance critic, blogger and friend of Armond. And we get into it on the subject of classical filmmaking, something that Boone feels is sorely lacking in our contemporary film culture, and whether the most acclaimed movie and the most ghettofabulous waste of time aren't that different from one another these days. (Hence the titular question.)

We also discuss how one particular, Oscar-winning summer blockbuster from way back can soothe that savage beast known as — the American teenager. You can also download it here.

NEXT WEEK: A two-parter that still has my head buzzing.

Once again, my apologies for the lateness. But, the person who usually puts these podcasts in code for me was off last week, leaving me with several backlogged Conditions (including one, soon-to-be-infamous two-parter I'm saving for next week).

Luckily, they are still pretty timely, like this one I did with Simon Abrams (aka @simonsaybrams), New York-based freelance critic and blogger. We talked about Abrams sharing column space with the notorious Armond White, our different tastes in prison movies and the best films we've seen so far this year.

And let me just say that if you've ever wanted to hear a conversation about movies with not one, but two men who sound just like Eddie Deezen (no offense, Simon — I was beginning to think I was the only one), then you must listen to this podcast. You can also download it here.

Next up on Friday: Is "The Dark Knight" no different than "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins"? A friend of Armond will explain.

Once again, sorry for the lateness. (Yes, another case of "technical difficulties.") Nevertheless, this is a special week here at the Condition. After weeks of speaking to one dude after another, I figured it's about time some ladies came to the podcast and put me up on some movie game.

First up, I talk to Erin Donovan, Portland-based movie blogger, documentary distributor and all-around charming lady. We discuss documentaries, documentary film festivals, the out-of-control contrarian attitude of a certain film critic and why her take on "Up" depressed me to the point of almost quitting the business. You can also download it here.

Coming Thursday: First-person Cannes experiences from an unrequited crush.