DVD reviews: 'Joe Dirt,' 'Kramer'

By Paul Chambers
Special to CNN

(CNN) -- This week's new DVD releases offer David Spade as a backwoods loser in search of his long-lost parents, Michael Caine as a cross-dressing maniac and Dustin Hoffman as a workaholic father forced to care for his son. The Pat Metheny Group provides some nice jazz, and Abbott & Costello search for their mummy.

There's a lot of ground to cover, starting with "Joe Dirt." Ratings are on a 10-point scale.

"Joe Dirt" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)

David Spade stars as a dirt-poor country boy, abandoned by his parents at the Grand Canyon when he was only 8. Sporting a surgically attached wig -- he was born with the top of his head missing -- Joe goes in search of his long-lost family, enduring numerous gross-out adventures along the way. Talk about lame moviemaking. "Joe Dirt" is just another poor attempt to copy the success of films such as "Kingpin" and "There's Something About Mary." Spade tries to be a lovable lowlife, but the humor falls as flat as the prairie.

DVD extras: Widescreen and full screen versions, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, two-channel Dolby Surround, French audio, subtitles. The package also includes director's commentary, Spade's commentary, outtakes and bloopers, deleted scenes and alternate scenes, trailers, filmography and much more. Not that it makes a difference.

Rating: 3

See also: Spade turns up crud in 'Joe Dirt'

"Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979) (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)

There should be a law that married couples be required to watch this film after they have a quarrel. One of the best films I've ever seen about divorce and being a single parent, "Kramer vs. Kramer," written and directed by Robert Benton, picked up nine Academy Award nominations, taking home five Oscars, including best picture and best actor (Dustin Hoffman). Jane Alexander and Justin Henry were also marvelous. This is a film worth owning on DVD.

DVD extras: Widescreen presentation, audio in English and French, subtitles in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Thai. The DVD also features an excellent documentary with new interviews of Hoffman, Streep, Benton and many more.

Rating: 10

"Dressed to Kill" (1980) (MGM Home Entertainment)

Who cares if director Brian DePalma rips off Hitchcock? He's only stealing from the best. This is a great film, packed with thrills and plenty of surprises. Michael Caine stars as a psychiatrist who may be shielding a violent cross-dressing psychopath. Angie Dickinson gives one of her best big-screen performances. Nancy Allen, Dennis Franz and Keith Gordon co-star. This movie will scare you more than once.

DVD extras: 5.1 surround sound, a 45-minute documentary with new interviews of DePalma, Dickinson, Franz, Allen and Gordon (but disappointingly, no Michael Caine). Also three mini-features, a photo gallery and more. R-rated and unrated versions available.

Rating: 8

"Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy" (1955) (Universal Studios Home Video)

This 1955 entry in the long-running series is one of the comedy team's better efforts. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello find themselves stuck in Egypt with no way to get back home -- until they overhear an archaeologist saying he needs someone to accompany a mummy, Claris, to the United States. There are subsequent murders and very spooky goings-on to follow. Oh, yes, and maybe a couple of laughs.

DVD extras: Theatrical trailer and a Woody Woodpecker cartoon short.

Rating: 5

"Pat Metheny Group: Imaginary Day Live" (Pioneer Entertainment)

The Pat Metheny Group has long been one of the finest groups in jazz, and this 1998 concert is a major case in point. Filmed and recorded live at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California, it presents exemplary versions of the Grammy award-winning hits "Imaginary Day" and "The Roots of Coincidence." The concern is a good representation of their many sounds: rock, jazz, new wave, slow strumming. Lyle Mays, of course, is magnificent on the keyboards and Jeff Hayne is wild on percussion. It's an inspiring performance.

DVD extras: An excellent discography as well as a new interview with Metheny about his music and this concert in particular. Song list. Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.

Rating: 10

Other releases on August 28:

DVD and VHS:

"Gandhi" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)
"Carrie" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Company Man" (Paramount Home Entertainment)
"South Pacific" (Buena Vista Home Entertainment)
"Anne Frank" (Buena Vista Home Entertainment)
"Wicked" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)

VHS only:

"Power Rangers Time Force 2: The Quantum Ranger" (Fox Home Entertainment)
"Rolie Polie Olie: A Spookie Ookie Halloween" (Walt Disney Home Video)
"Barney, Let's Go to the Zoo" (HIT Entertainment)
"The Invisible Circus" (August 31st) (New Line Home Entertainment)

DVD only:

"Audrey Rose" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Breeders" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Candyman 2: Farewell to the Flesh" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The First Power" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Haunted Honeymoon" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The Howling" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Scanners" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The Next Karate Kid" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)
"My Best Friend's Wedding: Special Edition DVD" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)
"Killer Klowns From Outer Space" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The Beast Within" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Count Yorga, Vampire" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The Dunwich Horror" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Invaders From Mars" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The Island of Dr. Moreau" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"It! The Terror From Beyond Space" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Mars Needs Women" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"The Monster That Challenged the World" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Planet of Vampires" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Reptillicus" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Theater of Blood" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Twice Told Tales" (MGM Home Entertainment)
"Marathon Man" (Paramount Home Entertainment)
"Forrest Gump: Special Collector's Edition" (Paramount Home Entertainment)