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Californication - The First Season [2007]


RRP: £34.99
Our Price: £17.99 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Some people go all through their career without managing to land even one memorable role. Thanks to Californication, David Duchovny has now chalked up two. Yet Hank Moody is as far removed from The X-Files’ Fox Mulder as you can pretty much get. That’s because Moody is a successful author, only one with a real eye for the opposite sex. He’s a man caught in the midst of a troubled life, on one hand a father, on the other dabbling with the odd drink (to put it mildly). And it’s the complexity of the character that Duchovny clearly has a ball with, lifting Californication into must-see territory in the process.

A real show out of nowhere, Californication though has so much more going for it. The scripts veer between very funny moments and areas that other shows wouldn’t go anywhere near, while the supporting cast do ably up their game to keep up with the leading man.

The full first season of Californication is presented here, and it’s fair to say it leaves you salivating for more. An individual, entertaining and very funny show, this is one of those occasions where the hype surrounding a programme is there to be believed. Don’t miss it. --Jon Foster

Editorial
DVD Description

David Duchovny (The X Files) returns to our screens in the hilariously dark new comedy series, Californication. Bachelor Hank Moody (Duchovny) has almost got it made: he's a sexy, best-selling author, but his insatiable appetite for beautiful women often lands him in hot water. Every day, Hank finds himself in bed with another woman and two steps back from his ultimate goal – restoring his family. He wouldn’t mind reviving his writing career either, but as a part-time dad juggling his wild LA lifestyle with grown-up responsibilities, this "devil may care" writer is at a loss for words. From the very first episode, Hank sets the tone for the whole series. We meet him first in a church asking Jesus to help him get his life back on track, but he gets distracted by a hot nun, which turns out to be a dream that is representative of his lifestyle – he then goes on to have sex with a woman who is cheating on her enraged husband and a 16 year-old girl who he thinks is in college. This clever comedy also stars Natascha McElhone (Solaris) as Hank's ex-girlfriend, Madeleine Martin as Becca, his wise-beyond-her-years 12 year-old daughter and Evan Handler (Sex And The City)as Charlie, Hank's best friend and agent.
Editorial
Synopsis

Not to be confused with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers' song of the same name, CALIFORNICATION is a comedy about the pleasures and pitfalls of living la vida loca. David Duchovny (in his first TV series since THE X-FILES) slips comfortably into the role of Hank Moody, a novelist with a drink and drug problem and a penchant for beautiful women. As if Hank's life wasn't complicated enough, he's also got his daughter and ex-girlfriend vying for his attention, a bad case of writer's block, and a seeming inability to resist the many temptations Los Angeles has to offer. The show's Golden Globe-winning debut series is presented here in its entirety.

Disappointing...
Review date: 2008-08-15 Rating: 6 out of 10

I bought this DVD after seeing so many positive reviews, but have to say I found the scenarios completely unbelievable at times, the acting a little wooden on occasions and the plot frustrating. Some of the actors are great (notably the two daughters) but at times there was a lack of chemistry between the Hank and Karen characters and what was meant to be seen as a great affinity between them (finishing each others' sentences, etc.) came across more as interrupting each other. The camera shots (zoom-ins, zoom-outs) are clumsy at times - not sure if this is done on purpose or not, but it gives a slightly amateur impression. There are good aspects - Mia and Becca are great and give really believable performances and there are some funny LOL moments and amusing sex scenes, but I found myself keen to finish the series and just find out how it ended - only to be frustrated by how unrealistic it was!

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Reviews


Edgy and thought provoking
Review date: 2008-07-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

Everything a new show nowadays should be. It's great to see this kind of show being green lit by a network, yet alone supported.

I'll leave this short and sweet review with one last thing. Duhcovny has been a favourite of mine growing up. From the age of 12 I watched x-files and so he was stuck in that mould for me. I never thought I'd say it, but he's now Hank Moody.

Brilliant (And Sick, And Ironic) American TV Shock!
Review date: 2008-06-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

About 10 minutes into the first episode I could not believe that this was made in Hollywierd. Intelligent, beautifully written, good characterization, Excellent (if limited, characters "grow" very little, like life really!) acting, witty, ironic (something most Americans can't understand or believe is unpatriotic) literate without being preachy, sometimes erotic, often very sick and twisted, I can't recommend this highly enough. Even the teenage daughter is a delight to watch! Clever characters do stupid things for real reasons without you thinking it's out of character. Despite their flaws these people become real to you, I ended up caring about them, groaning as Hank does yet another really dumb thing thinking this might make him happy, smiling wistfully as his soon to be married ex-wife tries yet another speech to make him grow up.
Wonderful entertainment. Buy and watch today.
Praying for a series Two!

FANTASTIC,BRILLIANT,ROCKS!!!
Review date: 2008-06-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

Apsalutley fantastic series,best on tv ever!!!
has everything in and could watch it over n over!!!
David duchovny and the other cast are perfect and brilliant for their roles and no misfited actors like in other series!
FANTASTIC A MUST BUY!carnt wait 4 the second series!

BLOODY HELL
Review date: 2008-01-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

WHERE THE HELL DID THIS COME FROM???

A totally chaotic individual too scared to follow his talent pines for his lost love and shags his way around the city of LA. David Duchovny gives a masterful performance as a writer who has struck gold with his novel but having moved from NY to LA is now drinking himself into one bed after another. But he wants his family back together, loves his daughter and wants to love his hearts true love, which is now betrothed to another. The story is great, the acting is great, the content is explicit, and as the series title suggests most definitely adult only.

Bloody Brilliant!!!

A darkly brooding heroic character that is funny but pathetic. talented but empty, has found true love but loves many women, a contradiction but so true to life.

Be entertained by a really surprising show and masterful performance!!!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
David Duchovny
Natascha McElhone

Creators:
David Duchovny (Primary Contributor)
Natascha McElhone (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437953032
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-06-16
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 327 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)

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