There was always a part of me that wanted to be an old-time director. But I couldn't do that. I'm not a pro. Martin Scorsese More Quotes by Martin Scorsese More Quotes From Martin Scorsese Sometimes God picks you up and tells you, "You've been messing around now. You're going to have to stop this, stop that, but I'll give you another chance." And you wonder why you're given another chance. It must be for something; it must be to celebrate life. Martin Scorsese another-chance sometimes giving You can be born-again and believe in Jesus, believe in Jesus' ideas and try to live them out, without becoming totally intolerant of other people. Martin Scorsese believe ideas jesus My films really have to be a part of a whole body of work that says something to me. Martin Scorsese parts-of-a-whole film body I'd like to do a number of films. Westerns. Genre pieces. Maybe another film about Italian Americans where they're not gangsters, just to prove that not all Italians are gangsters. Martin Scorsese pieces italian numbers I just wanted to be an ordinary parish priest. Martin Scorsese priests ordinary wanted I didn't realize there are generations who do not know about the origins of film. Martin Scorsese realizing generations film I don't agree with everything he did in his life, but we're dealing with this Howard Hughes, at this point. And also ultimately the flaw in Howard Hughes, the curse so to speak. Martin Scorsese curse flaws speak A panoramic vision of Bob Dylan, his music, his shifting place in American culture, from multiple angles. In fact, reading Sean Wilentz's Bob Dylan in America is as thrilling and surprising as listening to a great Dylan song. Martin Scorsese reading song america I know there were many good policemen who died doing their duty. Some of the cops were even friends of ours. But a cop can go both ways. Martin Scorsese cop duty way Michael Jackson was extraordinary. When we worked together on 'Bad,' I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other. Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion. He was wonderful to work with, an absolute professional at all times, and it really goes without saying... a true artist. It will be a while before I can get used to the idea that he's no longer with us. Martin Scorsese artist hands ideas Sometimes when you're heavy into the shooting or editing of a picture, you get to the point where you don't know if you could ever do it again. Martin Scorsese shooting editing sometimes Oh, the foghorns... even the foghorns, they're all brass. It's something by Ingrid Marshal called Fog Tropes. It's not a sound effect. It's an actual piece of music. If you listen to what's going on after he has a flashback about his wife you'll hear... it sounds like the humpback whales in a way. But it's all music. And we use it again later, too. Martin Scorsese whales fog wife The problem with anger is that it's so consuming. You've got to take it easy on yourself at a certain point. Martin Scorsese certain problem easy The only way I was able to defend myself was to be able to take punishment. Then I got a lot of respect. They said, "Oh, he's okay, he can take it. Don't hit him." The guys were pretty big, and I had asthma. Martin Scorsese punishment able guy Basically, you make another movie, and another, and hopefully you feel good about every picture you make. And you say, 'My name is on that. I did that. It's OK.' But don't get me wrong, I still get excited by it all. That, I hope, will never disappear. Martin Scorsese excited feel-good names When I was growing up in the mid-'50s, the Roaring Twenties were a huge part of the culture. There were a number of films and a bunch of television shows that dealt with the mythology of the underworld from that period. Martin Scorsese growing-up twenties numbers During Prohibition, Atlantic City created the idea of the speakeasy, which turned into nightclubs and that extraordinary political complexity and corruption coming out of New Jersey at the time. The long hand that they had-and maybe still do-even had to do with presidential elections. Martin Scorsese cities hands ideas You have to put yourself in a situation, a lifestyle, that makes you do the work. Even if it's a monastery. Martin Scorsese monasteries lifestyle situation I always say that I've been in a bad mood for maybe 35 years now. I try to lighten it up, but that's what comes out when you get me on camera. Martin Scorsese cameras trying years I'm in a different chapter of my life. As time goes by and I grow older, I find that I need to just be quiet and think. There have been periods when I've locked myself away for days, but now it's different - I'm married and we have a daughter who is in my office the whole time. Martin Scorsese daughter mother thinking