In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.

I do know that for all the artists it's very important to speak in a vernacular that can be understood by everyone.

You can do pretty much anything you want in this world, and it's not all that difficult - you just have to ignore the people who tell you that you need to go this way, and it's the only way.

I've noticed in my life that as you work on more things with more people, you spend less time hanging out with other people who are artists, creative people who give you a sense of family.

An artist doesn't necesetharily have to get acclaim from the outside. Maybe it is much better if he can get validation from within.

I thought it was a huge conflict of interest to be the director and the subject - it's very sketchy territory to be in. I've seen what's happened to other directors who have done that.

I'm a writer, so I interview people all the time, and I think of it as being a very creative process. Giving interviews is actually one of the most creative parts of the film promotion process.

The suburbs are incredibly oppressive. I actually believe that the suburbs are much more dangerous than the ghettos.

Men are created different they lose their social freedom and their individual autonomy in seeking to become like each other.

Writing mysteries lets me get away with murder. I think 'the mystery' may be the greatest form for social criticism, simply because it is pedestrian.

Love can become overused.

I grew up on the stage, where you just throw yourself into projects and don't get in your own way.

Set your expectations high; find men and women whose integrity and values you respect; get their agreement on a course of action; and give them your ultimate trust.

You may assume infinite ignorance and unlimited intelligence.

President Lincoln chose to fight a bloody and unpopular war because he believed the enemy had to be defeated. He was right.

Starbucks is my main fix and it's usually you people working in there - sometimes they're actually shaking. It just makes me feel horrendous because I've been in that situation.

Make friends first, make sales second, make love third. In no particular order.

They've changed the salesman but they haven't changed the product.