I'm completely aware of the fact that I'm a control freak.

I don't think the competition's so rough, within the majority of movies made in Hollywood.

I don't think it's a director's job to peek behind the curtain too much.

I write from my stomach.

Acting is the hardest job in the entire world. By far. Harder than ditch digging.

Well I'd really love to work with Robert De Niro, because he's still the most talented actor out there.

The films that I love are very straightforward stories, like really old-fashioned stuff.

No matter how many times you do it, you don't get used to the sadness - for me at least - of coming to the end of a film.

I've never been a fan of whimsical or confusing storytelling.

Film school is a complete con, because the information is there if you want it.

There’s a lot for screenwriters to steal from songwriters, in terms of getting to the point.

I have a feeling, one of those gut feelings, that I'll make pretty good movies the rest of my life.

My writing has a lot to do with who I am, and what my life is like, and my relationships to people.

To make a film, the final big collaborator that you have is the composer.

How do I respond to criticism? Critically. I listen to all criticism critically.

I'll rebel against powers and principalities, all the time. Always, I will.

I am always looking for that nuance, that moment of truth, and you can't really do that fast.

Screenwriting is like ironing. You move forward a little bit and go back and smooth things out.

You're constantly changing man. But the film's not changing. The film stays the same. That's the beautiful aspect of it.