JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Californication Season 3 (2009) - Trailer Included
The Raging Libido goes Academia.
Californication Season 3 Wallpaper
*****Warning: Contains Spoilers******
About 2 years ago John Doe did a cum splashed review for the first season of Showtime’s Californication where he admitted to an unhealthy man crush on lead character Hank Moody and the blocked writers misadventures in vaginal penetration.
Here is an excerpt of Johnny’s summation of his attraction to the show:
“Bawdy and brave, an exercise in colourful vocabulary, this misunderstood creation may contain an abundance of nudity and drug use, but it’s the exploration of character subtleties that make it such a rich experience.
The debauch comedy is a surface attraction, just beneath lurks a study in the dynamics of strained human relationships, the shallowness of new millennium culture and the futility of meaningless liaisons.”
Bare with JD, he didn’t do a review of the second season so here is a recap for perspective. Picking up the narrative thread, the story continued with Hank getting de-sexed and his male “biological imperative” was compromised by a vasectomy. A case of mistaken cuninlingis identity indirectly landed him in the slammer and behind bars he met his hedonistic equal in aging rock star Lew Ashby.
Chrome dome agent Runkle cheated on his smurfy wife with a porn star which led to a marital disintegration. Karen struggled to tolerate Moody’s own infidelities as accusations he seeded an embryo strained the unconventional relationship. The season finale, “Le Petite Mort’ resolved the paternity questions but the couple made a mutual decision to separate leaving our warped hero playing single parent to Becca.
In Season 3, Karen is now living in New York and the personal loss of the previous events has inspired Hank to finish his unsellable Lew Ashby biography. Temptation immediately arrives as Moody becomes a teacher in the UCLA writing department. Becca goes off the rails and Charlie fights to get his personal and professional life under control.
Hank teaches nubile flesh prose.
John Doe says:
Season 3 delivers another dirty dozen high quality episodes that expand on what has come before and even when retreading old habits offer a more focused perspective. Ripe in comedic possibilities that are all exploited, this 3rd year also brings some genuine empathy to the wider themes of the story so far.
Surprisingly the writing is still strong with quotable dialogue occurring so frequently John Doe was tempted to watch each episode with a Dictaphone in hand.
Cinema Directors like John Dahl (The Last Seduction, Red Rock West) and Michael Lehmann (Heathers) call the shots and maintain the established standards of excellence. Incidentally both have also been in the big chair on Dexter and True Blood.
The indie hip mixed with classic rock soundtrack continues to punctuate moments, establishes mood and evoke emotion with flair. Sometimes drawing attention to itself with deliberation, a standout had to be a cover version of Warren Zevon’s Werewolves of London.
Struggling in the role of single parent, the smorgasbords of potential liaisons on campus quickly prove too much for the Hanksters weak willed commitment. Putting him in this position of authority figure on two fronts as Teacher and solo father serves to highlight his flaws but also his genuine, but unsuccessful attempts to be a better man.
Hank doesn’t cope well without Karen and his undisciplined, pussy hound ways are articulated in a sincere conversation with his daughter that carries the poignancy of his plight.
Of all the seasons, this is the one that puts the series Shampoo aspirations in the foreground. The tryst scenarios and Hank’s Buddhist like ability to walk the middle path no matter if news is good, bad or indifferent echo Beatty’s George Roundy, just with more self awareness. There is even the physical resemblance with Duchovny’s scruffy hair, pouting lips and devilish grin a worthy successor to the game changing womanizer of the 70’s.
No need to analyze his performance because anything said here has already been voiced elsewhere. Suffice to say, the line between reality and fiction is completely blurred as the big D makes the scoundrel embroiled in scandal an extension of himself.
The Charlie and Marcy sub plot also brings some interesting exploration of character with both operating in extremes usually reserved for Hank alone. The drama may always be served with laughs but there is plenty of introspection by both Evan Handler and Pamela Adlon.
The guest stars this season offer sublime pleasures. Rick Springfield parodies his 80’s heart throb status with nearly every moment paying off. There is wry brilliance in everyone referring to him by his full name even at times when a simple greeting would suffice.
Rick Springfield and Kathleen Turner bring retro appeal.
Diane Farr (Rescue Me) as reserved TA Jill Robinson who is sexually awakened has a distinct chemistry with the star. Her stunning appearance adequately restrained until needed.
In the part of Felicia Koons, Embeth Davidtz (Mad Men) plays the neglected wife looking for extra marital experience with an elitist accent that counter acts her vulnerability well.
As her husband Peter Gallagher (Underneath, Short Cuts) is unreserved in his portrayal of pompous intellect personified.
A hint of nepotism arrives on set with Susan Sarandon’s saucy daughter Eva Amurri (House) playing Jackie, Hank’s student who moonlights as a stripper and is naturally enamored with his man meat. Eva utilizes her cherubic exterior skillfully while making Jackie’s beyond her years experience believable.
It’s not all claps and cat calls for this season. A major failing is the omission of Mia until the final episode. After the previous season ended with her on her way to do a promotional tour for the novel ‘Fucking and Punching” which she stole from Hank, there is nearly no mention whatsoever of the character. John Doe sees this as a big misstep because this story arc is the one that commands the most tension and drama. Will her artistic charade be exposed? Will Karen find out that Hank slept with the 16 year old daughter of her ex fiancé? These are giant elephants in the room that when revealed change the whole dynamic of the show.
Despite some lagging in forward narrative around mid season, the cliff hanger finale that sends most all the players into a maelstrom of the unknown makes JD anxious for the Season 4 premiere in January 2011.
Johnny has watched the entire 3rd season twice now and when it comes down to it Californication is still his favourite show on air.
Trailer for Californication season 3
Behind the scenes featurette
A few choice scenes from Season 3
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I limit myself to only one bawdy series per year. I'm stoked that Entourage has returned for a 7th Season and that's not even as bold as Californication.
Love David Duchovny though.
Film & TV on DVD
I only ask because it is far more than just an empty bawdy attraction but mines the frustrations of an artist.
I like Entourage too, but much more shallow pleasure to be found there.
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Film & TV on DVD
I get a good laugh out of the show and am amused by the wheelings and dealings.
Here is a sample of a review I did about 3 years ago for Entourage:
"Hugely addictive, to the blaring, beautiful sounds of Janes Addiction’s “Superhero” the opening credits roll and the laughs are constant and clever.
Completely self aware, the realistic feel of the show comes in so small part from the cavalcade of guest stars. With storylines that incorporate the likes of Val Kilmer and James Cameron and cameos from Jessica Alba to Luke Wilson.
The characters are all entertaining and we get to know them inside out, the actors are totally convincing. Jeremy Piven steals the show with his energetic and frightening ferocity. "
You can read my full Entourage review HERE if you are interested.
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Oh sure, the life of a Celebrity can definitely be shallow for sure but the "wheeling and dealing" involved with brokering movie deals and bartering talent is all business and pretty much no different than any other corporate take over.
The characterizations of Vinnie and he boys are secondary. I'm surprised that any movie gets made in Hollywood to be honest. It's a major accomplishment.
I think I read your write up for Entourage a while ago. Very nice.
I
Screen Adventure
My favourite season so far - Duchovny is dynamite!
Film & TV on DVD
That cliff hanger was a cracker but as i allude to in my review i think that Mia should have turned up in episode 10 or 11 instead of 12. That way it would have milked the tension and also carried more weight by allowing a gestation period.
Season 4 is going to rely more on Karen than ever before. Hank's fate is completely in her hands as far as his own personal growth and destiny.
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Screen Adventure
It's a pity that there arn't as many followers on Orble regarding this show as I would have hoped. Clearly they dont know what they're missing out on - I suppose alot of this comes down to the marketing of the series