First of all, Sam Fuller left a group of extraordinary movies that are unique, that are "Fuller-esque," as one might say, which makes them stand apart from any other director's films.

I was a journalist and wrote about filmmakers, but I didn't review movies per se.

When I'm casting a picture, I think who I'd like to see in it if I was sitting in a theater. Who would surprise me?

There was a long period of time when Sam Fuller had a lot of projects fall through and had a lot of difficulties getting a project off the ground. And I was able to observe him during that period, and see his incredible resiliency and courage as he faced this difficulty and just kept working.

Now, grosses are listed in the newspapers and on television like it's a sporting event. It's ridiculous, because when you're watching a movie, unless you're an investor in the movie or a stockholder in the studio, what do you care how much it's grossing or how much it cost or any of that stuff?

I make that distinction only because I came to it strictly as someone who was just a lover of storytellers and cinematic storytellers.

A day doesn't go by when I don't get a compliment on L.A. Confidential, for example.