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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Mindfulness is not a mechanical process. It is developing a very gentle, kind, and creative awareness to the present moment.

Variety is the Spice of Life. Voices come in all shapes, tones, and sizes. Some are compelling and effective, while others are grating and agitating.

There is a certain right by which we many deprive a man of life, but none by which we may deprive him of death; this is mere cruelty.

My stepdad always said, "If you're going to believe the good, you're going to believe the bad." I think that's really important.

When I do fall in love, I'll go to the ends of the earth for that person. I'd lay down on a carpet of nails for the person I love.

If you're blessed enough to grow older, which is how I look at aging, there's so much wisdom to be gained from people who are celebrating the process with vibrancy and vigor and grace.

Ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write [create]? Dig into yourself for a deep answer.

By the time I'm out of makeup, I'm ready to act.

You just gotta go after things you like.

Do we really want to invest $50 billion of hard earned taxpayers money in what is essentially a video entertainment system?