What I am sad about is that there is now, in America, no equivalent to the art circuit.

I think it is obscene that we should believe that we are entitled to end somebody's life, no matter what that person has supposedly done or not done.

I believe we need heroes...we need certain people who we can measure our own shortcomings by.

I passionately believe in heroes, but I think the world has changed its criteria in determining who it describes as a hero.

There's nothing more important in making movies than the screenplay.

I don't blame people for their mistakes, but I do ask that they pay for them.

I am passionately opposed to capital punishment, and I have been all my life.

I just love biography, and I'm fascinated by people who have shifted our destinies or our points of view.

I want to be remembered as a storyteller.

Art is not an elitist gift for a few select people. Art is for everyone.

I think Tom Paine is one of the greatest men that's ever lived.

The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream.

All the whispering, glaring, pointing and judging makes them no better than whoever or whatever it is they're gossiping about.

The day you call someone "Mother" is the day your pain is hers to bear, you burden hers to carry.

I'm naturally shy but I've done this [movie Salomaybe] so much and you get better at it than you would think.

If Russia and the United States got along well and went after ISIS, that would be good.

Take heed of thinking. The farther you go from the church of Rome, the nearer you are to God.

Merengue is a fast rhythm, you know, and danceable. Bachata is like a slow, romantic Caribbean bolero.

Antireligious bigotry is not confined to the classroom.

I come from the tradition of a big Irish family that loves to sing. I love to perform.

If you want to be rich, you need to develop your vision. You must be standing on the edge of time gazing into the future.