You hear this said about actors sometimes, that they're fearless, but she [ Maggie Gyllenhaal] really is.

Theres a kind of dream that movies sell to people: You can start as the lowliest person and rise to the top. Hit Me doesnt sell this fantasy.

Who could be more desperate than filmmakers?

I love moving through long spaces and being enclosed.

Like all independent movies, the first thing you're looking for is a name actor who will justify your financing.

The problem with most love stories in my opinion is that they're too simplistic.

The movie that made me want to make movies was "Blue Velvet."

You don't make movies about "men" and "women." You make movies about this guy and this woman and if you get them right, you'll automatically connect with a lot of people.

I think a lot of young women are probably fearful or embarrassed or cautious or hiding whatever their particular sexuality might be. From the most odd to the just slightly abberrant.

Why should the killers of the world be "the future" and not us?

I want to stay healthy, keep fit, eat well, keep a low profile and be a good dad.

If I were doing five cop shows, I'd probably start struggling to find an identity for each one and struggling to find inspirations.

No coach is more important than the Team

The study of beauty is a duel in which the artist cries out in terror before he is defeated.

I'm only stopped by people in uniform, whether it's customs people, janitors, or the FBI - they all watch The Wire. Sadly, beautiful, glamorous women don't know anything about it.

Understand however that every man is worth just so much as the things are worth about which he busies himself.

You won't go the hell for smoking, you'll just smell like you've been there.

Manner is all in all, whate'er is writ,The substitute for genius, sense, and wit.

Our image has undergone change from David fighting Goliath to being Goliath.