However much I may like to talk about or be interested in a more philosophical or moral agenda, [film] is, ultimately, about narrative. And it's about telling stories that are engaging and dramatic.

I have nothing against diamonds, or rubies or emeralds or sapphires. I do object when their acquisition is complicit in the debasement of children or the destruction of a country.

I think one of the privileges of being a filmmaker is the opportunity to remain a kind of perpetual student.

There is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other.

It's always great to do a movie that you find is entertaining, but also can give some sort of political or social message.

I don't think movies can ever be too intense, but people have to understand why you're showing them the things you are showing them.

You do these movies, you give it out to the world and you really have no idea how people are going to react to you.

I never thought about that ever throughout the entire course of my career about choosing a specific role because it would make me seem more man-like.

I've been in plenty of situations where I thought the film would turn out one way or my performance would be looked at one way and it was an entirely different situation.

There is a segment of the American population that has been excluded from the national myth, and that should be redressed.

People who have any kind of illness use humor as a type of coping.

Love is the strangest, most illogical thing in the world.

I'm right and you're wrong, I'm big and you're small, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Some days some times are remembered by me, in life’s all moments they are cherished by me

Technique is just a means of arriving at a statement.

Success is always the final outcome when one adopts the habit of embracing each day with a high level of enthusiasm and productivity.

Who rules the world?… - It's for sure, ain't you!

It's so enjoyable to play a bad guy, you know.

When I start thinking in the batter's box, that's when I get into trouble.

Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.

I ain't gonna pay no dollar for a corn muffin that's half dough.