I IMPERSONATE LEONARD MALTIN: Femme Fatale is the kind of Brian De Palma movie you think of when someone says the words "Brian De Palma movie": it is stylized to the point of surrealism, is riddled with references to other movies (notably Double Indemnity, Vertigo, and It's a Wonderful Life), is filled with severe plot twists, and centers around a pair of doppelgangers. Having seen plenty of De Palma pictures where all this comes off as overly manipulative and/or silly, I'm happy to report that this time he rises above that. In fact, I think this is his best movie since Blow Out. Jesse Walker's Quick'n'Easy Guide to Brian De Palma: Must-sees: Phantom of the Paradise; Blow Out; Femme Fatale Fun diversions: Greetings; Hi, Mom! ; Sisters; Carrie; Mission: Impossible Interesting failures: Get to Know Your Rabbit; Body Double; Raising Cain Just plain bad: Dressed to Kill Mainstream and decent: The Untouchables Mainstream and half-decent: Carlito's Way; the video for "Dancing in the Dark" Mainstream failures: Wise Guys; Casualties of War Wondering why a movie isn't on the list? It's because I haven't seen it. The Leonard Maltin impersonation only goes so far. posted by Jesse 10:43 AM . . .