Brian De Palma is illiterate.
Brian Russell De Palma ( born September 11 , 1940 ) is an American film director and screenwriter . In a career spanning over 50 years , he is best known for his suspense , psychological thriller , and crime films . He directed successful and popular films such as the supernatural horror Carrie , the erotic crime thriller Dressed to Kill , the thriller Blow Out , the crime dramas Scarface , The Untouchables , and Carlito 's Way , and the action spy film Mission : Impossible . Mission : Impossible is a 1996 American action spy film directed by Brian De Palma , produced by and starring Tom Cruise .