When it comes to filmmaking, I've said for years there is a fine line between homage and rip-off. With that in mind, I think no other filmmaker has straddled this line quite so successfully as Brian De Palma. His early films, especially those from the 70s and 80s, were by and large "Hitchcockian" thrillers. What was so shocking about them -- other than the obvious subject matter -- was the extent they actually succeeded in spite of their obvious nods to the British Master of Suspense. But hey ... if you're gonna steal, steal from the best. Brian De Palma has not only done this, he has done it with style to spare.

BRIAN DE PALMA

Yes, I do have a De Palma shelf in my DVD library, but not all of his films are represented. Just my favorites, which include:

SISTERS ~ (1973) Margot Kidder stars in this terrifically suspenseful tale of beautiful Siamese twins, one benevolent, the other murderous. Hitchcock influences: Rear Window, Psycho, and a chilling Bernard Hermann score

PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE ~ (1974) Campy mix of Phantom of the Opera and Faust, with disfigured composer seeking revenge on producer who stole his songs. A flop in its day, now a cult classic. Characterization of Phantom as a masked, caped, asthmatic, synthetic-voiced menace may have inspired DePalma's friend George Lucas in his creation of Darth Vader three years later.

OBSESSION ~ (1976) Cliff Robertson as a man who loses his wife and daughter, only to meet his wife's doppelganger years later. Hitchcock influences: Vertigo, Vertigo, Vertigo. Bernard Hermann (who scored Vertigo) composed this soundtrack as well.

CARRIE ~ (1976) DePalma puts Stephen King on the Silver Screen with this tale of an abused loner (Sissy Spacek) with mother issues, telekinetic powers, and a really bad prom experience. Also starring Piper Laurie and John Travolta. Hitchcock influences: Psycho

THE FURY ~ (1978) More telekinesis, more bloodshed, and cinematic style galore. Amy Irving's climactic revenge on John Cassavetes is a highlight. With Kirk Douglas and Andrew Stevens.

DRESSED TO KILL ~ (1980) One of DePalma's most stylish, suspenseful, and scary thrillers involves sex, murder, and psychiatry. To reveal more would be criminal. Film stars Angie Dickenson, Michael Caine, Nancy Allen, and Keith Gordon. (I think this was the first R-rated movie I ever saw, and it scared the shit out of me!) Hitchcock influences: Psycho

BLOW OUT ~ (1981) Variation on Antonioni's Blow-Up, with movie sound-man (John Travolta) accidentally recording political murder. Tense, exciting, extremely well-crafted. Also starring Nancy Allen, Dennis Franz and John Lithgow.

SCARFACE ~ (1983) Remake of Howard Hawks' classic tale, updated to the 80s with cocaine replacing booze. Al Pacino claims this is his favorite role. Cult film remains potent, with a record number of F-bombs, but isn't nearly as violent as one remembers (at least not onscreen).

BODY DOUBLE ~ (1984) Kinky film about voyeurism, sex, and murder is another of DePalma's most popular ... and reviled. Love it or hate it, there's no middle ground here. Melanie Griffith is terrific as ditzy-but-goodhearted porno actress pulled into murder plot. Craig Wasson, Gregg Henry, and Dennis Franz are also good. Hitchcock influences: this film is very much Rear Window meets Vertigo.

THE UNTOUCHABLES ~ (1987) David Mamet scripted this smash hit about Elliot Ness and Company. Kevin Costner, Sean Connery (Best Supporting Actor), Andy Garcia, Charles Martin Smith, and Robert DeNiro as Al Capone also star.

Yes, there are other fine films I need to put in my De Palma collection, including Raising Cain, Mission: Impossible, Snake Eyes, and Femme Fatale, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. There's no need to be obsessive, is there?

I've never seen Casualties of War, simply because I cannot stomach the subject matter (neither have I seen De Palma's latest, Redacted, for similar reasons). As for Mission to Mars and The Black Dahlia? I HATED both of those movies with a passion.

(FYI: If there is any actor who honed his craft in multiple De Palma films prior to achieving great success, it is Dennis Franz. Years before he donned a badge for Hill Street Blues or NYPD Blue, Franz played countless sleazy cops and otherwise unscrupulous characters in De Palma movies. See especially The Fury, Dressed To Kill, Blow Out, and Body Double.)

Many critics have accused De Palma of being misogynistic in regards to his penchant for filming females in peril. I have heard De Palma's rebuttals to such (addressed in the documentary below), and while I don't completely buy his argument, I am such a fan of his early work, I am not really that bothered by it.

I am posting a five part BBC documentary, entitled Scene By Scene With Brian DePalma. Pretty fascinating. Those interested (and if you're not, why are you still reading?) should check it out.

(WORDSLINGER'S NOTE: This Scene By Scene series is hosted by British film historian Mark Cousins, who has done a number of profiles of notable filmmakers, including Martin Scosese, Woody Allen, David Lynch and others. I will be posting more of these soon.)

Have fun.