People may or may not say what they mean... but they always say something designed to get what they want.

Films have degenerated to their original operation as carnival amusement - they offer not drama but thrills.

The Oscars demonstrate the will of the people to control and judge those they have elected to stand above them (much, perhaps, as in bygone days, an election celebrated the same).

Every scene should be able to answer three questions: "Who wants what from whom? What happens if they don't get it? Why now?"

When the three branches of government have failed to represent the citizenry and the mass of the media has failed to represent the citizenry, then the citizenry better represent the citizenry.

Forget narrative, backstory, characterisation, exposition, all of that. Just make the audience want to know what happens next.

It is the writer’s job to make the play interesting. It is the actor’s job to make the performance truthful.

Opportunity may knock, but it seldom nags.

We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.

Being a writer in Hollywood is like going to Hitler's Eagle Nest with a great idea for a bar mitzvah.

A good film script should be able to do completely without dialogue.

Mincemeat is decidedly British in its nature and can therefore be disregarded entirely where most civilized palates are concerned.

All have a shadow over the earth but no shadow under earth or in grave.

I don't think I've ever stepped into a gym - they won't let me smoke there. I just thank God Miller Lite isn't as fattening as most beers. If I cut back on beer, though, I'd look anorexic.

Lover's words: “How beautiful you are, now that you love me.”

I've told people that I don't see myself living very long. That really upsets them, but I'm just being honest.

Character is half the reason we read. We're excited because of the plot, but we care because of the characters.

I think Democracy is threatened in a way it hasn't been in two hundred years, and if America doesn't stand up, we're in big trouble.

Motorsport is very expensive. No one cares if you had a good season two years ago and then you have an injury. It is a very dodgy investment.

For what is a person without memories? A ghost, trapped between worlds, without an identity, with no future, no past.

We cannot achieve greatness unless we lose all interest in being great.