I make every movie like it's the last one. "If this was the last movie, what decision would I make?" That's how I make my decisions.

I think I'm good at amplifying an actor's strengths, and minimizing their weaknesses. And they all have strengths and weaknesses.

When a film like Chris Nolan's Memento cannot get picked up, to me independent film is over. It's dead.

To me the director’s job is to leave it in better shape than you found it, literally.

If you're sitting around thinking what other people think about your work, you'll just become paralysed.

We [people] are a species that's wired to tell stories. We need stories. It's how we make sense of things. It's how we learn.

I want to thank anyone who spends part of their day creating...anybody who spends part of their day sharing their experience with us-I think this world would be unlivable without art and I thank you.

You’re supposed to expand your mind to fit the art, you’re not supposed to chop the art down to fit your mind.

There are three major social issues that this country is struggling with: education, poverty, and drugs. Two of them we talk about, and one of them we don't.

What are the stories you want people to tell about you?

The ought to be a worldwide cultural taskforce that just stops you when you have ideas like combining The Red Desert with an armored car heist movie.

I raise up my voice-not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard...we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.

What makes a man real is when his actions and words become memorable.

Let us heed the voice of the people and recognize their common sense. If we do not, we not only blaspheme our political heritage, we ignore the common ties that bind all Americans.

If we look at the world with a love of life, the world will reveal its beauty to us.

I think that if you start teaching about giving back and helping other people young, that will be a given for your child their whole life.

We are a blend of dust and divinity.

We have fought long and hard to escape from medieval superstition. I, for one, do not wish to go back.

I feel like you can be the best role model by being yourself.

I was the laziest white kid my dad ever met.

I have been long a sleeper; but I trust My absence doth neglect no great design Which by my presence might have been concluded.