7. Sisters
The first of Brian De Palma's onslaught of thrillers, with a wondrous score by Alfred Hitchcock collaborator Bernard Herrmann, Sisters broke new grounds with De Palma's not-as-of-yet signature split screen technique making it's foray into the world of horror. Not nearly as accepted by the general film audience as it is by the horror community (it may or may not have to do with the directors notable horror/thriller entries of Carrie, Phantom of the Paradise, Blow Out, Raising Cain) Sisters remains one of the most overlooked films in his career. The films inherent look is that of something voyeuristic, something very intimate, which actually helps the fact that the video transfer is rather lackluster. Taken from the original 35mm negative, what Criterion managed to put together was probably the best that they could do with what they were working with. At the very least it's enhanced for widescreen at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Audio is Dolby Digital monaural mastered from the 35mm optical soundtrack.
There aren't much in ways of special features for this release which is unfortunate given the quality of the film. With the exception of the massive photo stills from behind-the-scenes, production and publicity shots, the rest are all text features. One of interest being an interview De Palma did around the release of the film where he discuss his influences and concerns during production of Sisters, the other being an article that appeared in Life magazine titled, Rare Study of Siamese Twins in Soviet, which inspired De Palma to shoot Sisters.