“I don't think we're living in great times for movies, to tell you the truth.”

“I'm a filmmaker and I'm proud of the movies I've made. But in the background of my life I was also very involved in the creation of the sport.”

“I'm a spoilt brat. I thought I was just going to walk in and make movies. But I'd been my own boss for so long that all of a sudden to be facing a roomful of people who were niggling over every little scene... I just thought I'd go back and draw my comics and have a happy life.”

“If my films don't show a profit, I know I'm doing something right.”

“I grew up when I was 15 when I had my first opportunity in movies. I watched every great movie for a year and a half, and since then I've asked myself how I can emulate such artistry. That's really my motivation. I want to do something as good as my heroes have done.”

“The movies I made when I was 14 or 15, I have a hard time looking at those. Those were the awkward years. I don't know if anybody can look at something they did when they were 14 and not wince.”

“It's the movies that have really been running things in America ever since they were invented. They show you what to do, how to do it, when to do it, how to feel about it, and how to look how you feel about it.”

“Movies such as 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' in 1939 to 'Dave' in 1993 portray Washington leaders as the ultimate Everymen - decent people just like you and me, only thrust onto greatness.”

“I remember being on film sets when I was younger, and only men got to do the cool action movies. So I thought, 'Maybe I'll get to produce one day and get to do cool stuff too,' which is what happened when we did 'Charlie's Angels.' Starting my production company was a big turning point for me.”

“I didn't get into this so I could talk about my work, my movies. You become an actor to act.”

“I still like the run and gun action movies and how truly dangerous it can be to make these films.”

“I think there's a vague sense out there that movies are becoming more and more unreal. I know I've felt it.”

“I mean, look, I love movies, not just the ones I make... In fact, I don't like the movies I make very much.”

“'A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints' was the first real actor-actor part I did, and I hope I to do more. Action movies are fun, but I'd be happy not to do them if there are better roles.”

“In all honesty I think that I've had a very normal life, even though I've been making movies since I was 9.”

“Over the years all these vampire movies have come out and nobody looks like a vampire anymore.”

“I want my movies to be audience experiences. As much as I like Michael Haneke, I'm not going to make a Haneke film. That's just not in my DNA.”

“Even today, in our progressive times, in most movies that come out, the men have to have biceps and the women have to be thin or something.”

“In terms of the romantic kind of lead, I just never enjoy those movies very much. Maybe they'll come to interest me more as I get older. I doubt it, but maybe. Romantic comedies tend to be, for me, an oxymoron.”

“My grandmother and I saw an average of eight movies a week, double features, second run.”

“Even if I set out to make a film about a fillet of sole, it would be about me.”