[Marlon] Brando was the only guy who could step out of that shadow at the end of that movie and be worth the wait.

One sign of a great actor is when he can be alone by himself on the screen, doing almost nothing, and producing one of a film's defining moments.

Just write, get better, keep writing, keep getting better. It's the only thing you can control.

I think we have to get beyond the idea that we have to categorize people.

The time in between my clapping is ma. If you just have non-stop action with no breathing space at all, it's just busyness, But if you take a moment, then the tension building in the film can grow into a wider dimension. If you just have constant tension at 80 degrees all the time you just get numb.

I know as a critic I'm required to have a well-armored heart. I must be a cynical wise guy to show my great sophistication. No pushover, me.

I just assume I'm right. Partially out of conviction and partially as a pose.