Californication - The Complete First Season DVD Review

Click the image above to view a trailer! Buy it now - On DVD

DVD Release Date - June 17, 2008
Description:

David Duchovny returns to series television in this adult sitcom as Hank Moody, an alcoholic, womanizing novelist struggling to help raise his precocious 13-year-old daughter, Becca, while still yearning for his sophisticated ex, Karen.

Review

As a big X-Files fan, I was sold at “David Duchovny”. Now I have to warn you, this show is not like X-Files, it’s not remotely like X-Files, this is for a VERY different audience. I must also state that this is a mature show, and if you are opposed to “the sex”, its not for you. For everyone else, read on!

David plays a thirtysomething sex addicted writer, Hank Moody, who let the love of his life get away from him. This show revolves around him trying to find his place in his world, whilst drowning in a sea of never ending women(I’ll be polite), and realizing that he wants more.

Him and the love of his life, Karen, have a 12 year old daughter (Becca), who is mature, thoughtful, and tries to keep the family together.

Throughout the season, Hank is constantly trying to get back in with Karen. I do not wish to spoil anything for those who have not watched this fantastic comedy, so lets say its a roller coaster ride, filled with ups and downs.

The show can be incredibly funny, over the top, shocking and even sad at times, all these emotions flow together, woven in time, with such ease, that it draws you in and does not let go.

When your watching this show, know that it all ties together, everything from the beginning to the end, its beautiful, its not hap hazard, and the last scene was so amazing, and left me feeling very happy and glad I invested the time and energy to view this show, even after all that happens, the ending is so beautiful.

I really enjoyed this show, the length was about 6 hours, I watched it in 2 days and had a blast, I do plan on watching it again, many more times in my life for sure, as Hank is quite the character (as is his Agent, who is hilarious in and of his own!), I eagerly look forward to season 2, and expect coverage of each episode here at “The TV Review”.

As a TV show, I give this a 5 out of 5. David Duchovny plays a great role, and is supported by an amazing cast. Everyone fits together and blend to create this wonderful atmosphere.

I rate the video a 4 out of 5.

Its a dvd, I hope the blu-ray is not to far behind, it was on 2 dvds, which made viewing in 2 days seem normal, nothing is bad, but nothing is too good. Its above average, and as this is not high cinema, is very appropriate.

Audio 4 out of 5, as with all showtime / cbs / paramount dvds, the default audio is stereo, you need to change it to dolby digital. Also, no subtitles, only closed captioning (great if you are watching this on a real “TV”, I’m using an HDTV “monitor” which has no closed captioning.

Extras a 2 out of 5, well, we get a commentary, thats about it. I wouldn’t of minded some interviews with the cast or writers, but it is what it is.

Images From the Show

Favorite Quote -

Hank: Now you’re giving me that look, right now, look like I finger-banged your cat.

Meredith: My baby.
Hank: You have a baby with the married guy? Holy f***!
Meredith: No, my dog, Cat Stevens.
Hank: You have a dog named Cat Stevens? Holy f***!

Hank: “B” to the “I” to the double “L”. What’s up, my nig nog?
Bill: I need to talk to you.
Hank: Well, you should have called. I wouldn’t have answered, but you could’ve left a message, which I would have quickly erased.
Bill: Uh, yeah, this isn’t something I would choose to discuss over the phone. This is about Mia.
Hank: Oh.

Henry Rollins: What’s your latest obsession?
Hank: Just the fact that people seem to be getting dumber and dumber. You know, I mean we have all this amazing technology and yet computers have turned into basically four figure wank machines. The internet was supposed to set us free, democratize us, but all it’s really given us is Howard Dean’s aborted candidacy and 24 hour a day access to kiddie porn. People…they don’t write anymore - they blog. Instead of talking, they text, no punctuation, no grammar: LOL this and LMFAO that. You know, it just seems to me it’s just a bunch of stupid people pseudo-communicating with a bunch of other stupid people at a proto-language that resembles more what cavemen used to speak than the King’s English.
Henry Rollins: Yet you’re part of the problem, I mean you’re out there blogging with the best of them.
Hank: Hence my self-loathing.

Hank: What is your name, by the way?
Beach Girl: Wouldn’t you rather just f*** me and never know?
Hank: Oh, f***. Who says romance is dead?!

Hank: What about the Marce? You gotta miss the Marce. I know you miss the Marce, right? That sexy, little smurf was good to you.
Charlie: That sexy, little smurf cheated on me with my assistant.
Hank: Yes, but you cheated on her with your assistant. First, I might add.

Hank: You are a very young soziopath in training.
Mia: Oh, come on. That’s like satan calling one of his junior minions a big meanie.