I never thought about that ever throughout the entire course of my career about choosing a specific role because it would make me seem more man-like.

There is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other. As a filmmaker, I want to entertain people first and foremost. If out of that comes a greater awareness and understanding of a time or a circumstance, then the hope is that change can happen.

What I was really overwhelmed with by Africa was its tremendous natural beauty; I got to go to some pretty amazing places. Every other weekend we got a day or two off and go on a safari or the natural wonders of Africa and if anyone gets the opportunity to go there, it's something you have to do in your lifetime.

I don't think movies can ever be too intense, but people have to understand why you're showing them the things you are showing them.

There is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other.

I maintain that no movie can be funny enough. I mean even the most serious, even the most intense movie and I know enough about life to know in those dark moments inevitably someone will say something funny and I will be part of the whole experience.

There is a segment of the American population that has been excluded from the national myth, and that should be redressed.