Movies are like a machine that generates empathy.

Every great film should seem new every time you see it.

No good movie is too long and no bad movie is short enough.

One difference between film noir and more straightforward crime pictures is that noir is more open to human flaws and likes to embed them in twisty plot lines.

To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts.

You can have a movie with hardly any cuts, or very few cuts, that is fascinating, you can't take your eyes away from it... Look at some of the long takes in Citizen Kane.

I lost faith in the Oscars the first year I was a movie critic - the year that Bonnie and Clyde didn't win.

I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization.

I think we have to get beyond the idea that we have to categorize people.

What every human being should do is eat a vegetarian diet based on whole foods. Period. That's it. Animal protein is bad for you. Dairy is bad for you. Forget the ads: Milk and eggs are bad for you.

I do not fear death. I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear.

In the years since, I've discovered there's a lot to be said for boredom.

Treason starts the moment when people violate their own rights.

Star Wars' is a galaxy a long time ago, far, far away. 'Star Wars' is not about our future.

You do feel a certain obligation to shows that raise your profile like 'Downton' has. But there are definitely other exciting opportunities out there.

Those who won't hesitate to vivisect, won't hesitate to lie about it as well.

The function of Art is to disturb. Science reassures.

It is easy to take away the world that we think is so permanent and reliable.

Life is grim, and we don't have to be grim all the time.

Sometimes you never feel meaner than the moment you stop being mean.