“Capote”
SONY, $28.95
Who’s in it: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Chris Cooper
Recap: Oscar-winner Hoffman brilliantly depicts writer Truman Capote as a sort of intellectual vampire, leaching onto the two Death Row inmates whose story became Capote’s classic “In Cold Blood.”
Best extra: “Truman Capote: Answered Prayers” may be less than 10 minutes, but it offers those unfamiliar with the real Capote a chance to get better acquainted, as well as a chance to see actual footage to help gauge Hoffman’s performance.
Secrets revealed: “Making ‘Capote’: Defining a Style” demonstrates how the filmmakers gave such a low-budget film the look needed to convey its story.
Feature to skip: The commentary with Hoffman and director Bennett Miller is full of gaps and generic praise, and relatively short on insight.
Trivia: In order to stay in character, Hoffman spoke and carried himself on-set like Capote even when the cameras were off.
If you liked this, try: “Almost Famous,” for Hoffman’s short but memorable turn as legendary rock critic Lester Bangs.
RATING: 3 PLAYS
“Derailed”
MIRAMAX, $29.95
Who’s in it: Clive Owen, Jennifer Aniston, Vincent Cassel
Recap: The twists and turns come fast and furious in this film about a Chicago-set affair gone wrong, but the pieces never quite add up to anything better than forgettable.
Best extra: This DVD includes the longer running “unrated” cut.
Secrets revealed: Aniston calls rapper Xzibit “the sweetest guy on the planet.”
Feature to skip: “The Making of ‘Derailed'” is strictly by-the-books promotional junk.
Trivia: “Derailed” was Swedish director Mikael Hafstrom’s first English language film.
If you liked this, try: “Croupier,” the film that made Owen a star, and still one of the best twisting neo-noirs in recent memory.
RATING: 1 PLAY
COMING SOON In stores next week
– “King Kong” – “Memoirs of a Geisha” – “Planet of the Apes–The Ultimate DVD Collection” – “Doctor Who–The Beginning Collection” – “Six Feet Under–The Complete Fifth Season” – “Wonder Showzen–Season 1”
