Here's a notion: Peace in the Middle East would come about more easily if the region were governed by women.

A few actresses have all but set up shop as women of a certain age who attract younger lovers. I think of Susan Sarandon, Cameron Diaz and Isabelle Huppert.

There is a movie called “Fargo” playing right now. It is a masterpiece. Go see it. If you, under any circumstances, see “Little Indian, Big City,” I will never let you read one of my reviews again.

I stopped taking notes on my Palm Pilot and started playing the little chess game.

When I write, I fall into the zone many writers, painters, musicians, athletes, and craftsmen of all sorts seem to share: In doing something I enjoy and am expert at, deliberate thought falls aside and it is all just THERE. I think of the next word no more than the composer thinks of the next note.

In the world of acting, many are thin but few are talented.

Who was the real Hitchcock? I interviewed him once and haven't a clue.