"I don’t remember the first time I read Goodbye to All That, but I do know that a little part of me thinks of it whenever I turn on the air conditioner. Didion is a big picture writer and a vital writer (On Self-Respect is required reading for any woman, Sentimental Journeys for any person). She’s a national treasure, but for me it’s the image of her taking a messy bite of a peach on the sidewalk that feels like the Didion I know."

"I like Woody Allen. Crime and Misdemeanors I liked a lot. I think it’s just wonderful. I also enjoy many of those — I like Hannah and Her Sisters, and Husbands and Wives; I like Broadway Danny Rose. This morning I was watching Love and Death, with Diane Keaton which I like a lot. But Crimes and Misdemeanors is maybe the best one of those."

"Lee Chang-dong is a living master. (I hope that Criterion puts out Oasis eventually—nudge, nudge.) Jeon Do-yeon delivers such a powerful performance. I wish I knew Korean, because I’m sure I would appreciate the film even more . . . which seems almost impossible because I adore it so."