I was born in Baltimore. 33 years later, I'm still here.

In between, I graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art (after a stint at The School Of The Museum Of Fine Arts in Boston). I'm a contributing writer for the Baltimore City Paper, where I review film and books and write the occasional arts-related feature. I've written a regular column on classic film at Popmatters.com, plus I do DVD reviews Tuesday mornings on 89.7 WTMD. I'm an adjunct professor at Maryland Institute College of Art, where I teach classes in film theory and video production. In 2008 Baltimore Magazine voted me "Best Arts Writer" in Baltimore. That was pretty sweet of them.

When I'm not doing those things, I like buying unidentifiable fruits and vegetables at the Han Ah Reum, refining my collections (gum, absurd T-shirts and Atari 2600s), maxing out my library card, and staying up too late watching Star Trek.

Sorry boys, I'm married, and have a son, which means I'm pretty much taken.

Photo taken at The Charles Theater by Cory Donovan.

Is Violet Glaze your legal name or your pen name?

It's my legal name. It has reminded people variously of a Raymond Chandler character, a burlesque dancer, a porn star, a Southern dowager, and a "deadly doughnut." I am none of the above.

Is this you?

No.

Why is your middle name "Cellar Door"?

When my mother was pregnant with me, my father had a dream I would be named "Cellar Door." It has nothing to do with Donnie Darko, although I do appreciate the synchronicity. (I got off easy. My father dreamed my sisters' names were "Tumbleweed" and "Camel Waters".)

Maybe God was saying "Stella D'oro" ("golden star") and your dad misheard "Cellar Door"?

That's my grandfather's theory. Sounds good to me.

Didn't I see your name in the City Paper?

Yes, the Baltimore City Paper has been very good to me. I'm a film critic for the paper, as well as occasional book critic and arts feature writer. I rub verbal shoulders with some of the most talented writers in the city.

Didn't I hear you on the radio?

How can I be a film critic?

Many people think they're qualified to be a film critic because they love movies. But writing ability is what will get you hired. Do what I did - write up a few samples and submit them to the paper you'd like to work for. Be forewarned that if you get the job, you will see many terrible movies.

When is your next book coming out?

As soon as I find a publisher.

What does your tattoo mean?

Which one?

The one on your arm.

The one on the left says "Lilith" in Hebrew. The one on the right is the Arecibo message.

Are you Jewish?

No.

Is Lilith your Hebrew name?

No. (See above.)

What is your favorite book?

No, I mean which book you've written.

Ask me again in a decade.

What's your favorite movie?

Let me winnow it down to at least three. Taxi Driver is the first, for its infinite richness, attention to detail, and bleak and wounded heart. The Empire Strikes Back is second, for the same reasons as Taxi Driver, but told in such a different way. And the third would have to be something by Buster Keaton -- either The Cameraman, or if shorts are allowed in this hypothetical game, Sherlock Jr. See, I couldn't even get it down to three. Runners up: Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, Persona, Tron, Tampopo, True Stories, American Movie, The Thin Blue Line, Sunset Boulevard, Enter The Dragon, Blade Runner, The Matrix, Velvet Goldmine, Modern Times, Heathers, and Raging Bull.

If I meet you at an event and say hello, will you be a nice person?

Yes.

Kirk or Spock?

Spock. Always Spock.