Different films have different places in people's lives. I don't get to see a lot of films, so I want to watch films I learn from.

I think in some ways you learn more from the things you don't like than the things you do.

Acting is really scary, but it's also challenging, fun, hard work. There's always an element of improvisation with every actor, even when something is really scripted.

It sounds cliche, but success is your friends, your family, what you do, and if you're happy when you wake up.

When actors give their input, it can be very ego-driven, and directors are scared of that.

I think Van Sant is the most important American director we have. He takes the most risks. He's just pure to me.

I'm not really equipped to do anything else but making movies. In every other aspect of my life I'm a total failure.

I feel that film, as opposed to theatre, is about capturing that one, real moment.

I saw the main character played by Mads Mikkelsen, and he's amazing. Hannibal had that going for it.

I have fun making films. I love making films. It's the only thing I know how to do. And I do it well.

Right now is a very interesting time because of the digital cameras, and the fact that you can edit anywhere. It's a great time to be a filmmaker, is a great time to be starting off.

God only rules in the affairs of men either by the invitation of man or to save man from some self-inflicted dangers.

A Dominie in Gray-- Put gently up the evening Bars-- And led the flock away

Among twelve apostles there must always be one who is as hard as stone, so that the new church may be built upon him.

It's very difficult to introduce the world to our culture.

'Juno' really changed things for me and I get a lot of screenplays come in now, but I like to self-generate and I like to kind of pursue my own ideas. And I think the more personal the better.

[Pigeons are] rats with wings.

The only certainty is that there is no certainty.

I am puzzled that Conway Morris apparently doesn't grasp the equally strong (and inevitable) personal preferences embedded in his own view of life.

Conflict can be seen as a gift of energy, in which neither side loses and a new dance is created.

There can be no existence of evil as a force to the healthy-minded individual.