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.

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.

If you read stories, you will learn the valuable lessons of life situations, survival and build strength.

While we tediously check our weaponry before entering into battle, do we check our hearts? For without exception, that is the greatest weapon of all.

There is enough knowledge in the books to explain the existing, your knowledge must inspire what is possible.

every dream I have about kissing you ends with blood on my hands.

Increase must become your natural desire

Be IN it. Get drunk in the moment.

My potential is more than can be expressed within the bounds of my race or ethnic identity.

The minute they become a partner in the Palestinian government, reality will become a lot more complicated for them than when they were a terror organization alone.

In my experience, it is rarer to find a really happy person in a circle of millionaires than among vagabonds.

News reporters are certainly liberal and left of center.