I've always been interested in how we survive and how resourceful we are as Americans.

'E.T.' began with me trying to write a story about my parents' divorce.

It [Lincoln movie] had nothing to do with politics. It had nothing to do with holding a mirror up to the way we conduct our business on Capitol Hill. This was meant to be a story, a Lincoln portrait if you will. I think any time is the right time for a very compelling story, any time.

I love history, so I do a lot of movies about history.

My dad took me out to see a meteor shower when I was a little kid, and it was scary for me because he woke me up in the middle of the night. My heart was beating; I didn't know what he wanted to do. He wouldn't tell me, and he put me in the car and we went off, and I saw all these people lying on blankets, looking up at the sky.

Only a generation of readers will span a generation of writers.

People have forgotten how to tell a story.