"Paul Levinson's It's Real Life is a page-turning exploration into that multiverse known as rock and roll. But it is much more than a marvelous adventure narrated by a master storyteller...it is also an exquisite meditation on the very nature of alternate history." -- Jack Dann, The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Californication Continues: 2

CalifornicationI gotta say, again, that not only are the women and sex terrific in Showtime's Californication, but the writing is right now flat-out the best on television.

My favorite bit from last night: Hank (David Duchovny) accepts the assignment from the Hell-A blog, starts writing on his computer at home, it freezes or whatever - so he goes out and files his post from an Apple store.

Everything is right and delightful about that: the name of the blog, the computer not working when you need it, and the Apple store to the rescue.

Meanwhile, I think that Hank is a very appealing character. How can you not like a guy who daydreams in his car about making-out with his almost, now estranged, slightly, wife...

And the other characters are good, too. My favorite is the precocious 16-year old Mia - played just right by Madeline Zima. She's the one who punched Hank twice in the face last week before she ... and she's the daughter of the guy who Hank's almost-wife says she is going to marry ...*

*A reader asked in the comments - how could I not mention Paula Marshall on this show? He's right. Paula Marshall was just splendid as the 40-something Sonja, someone Hank's age. I stand corrected.

But you need to see all of this yourself. You'll laugh at least 30 times in the 20-minute show, unless you're unconscious.*

Did I just write "20" minutes? I was laughing so hard, I lost track of time...

See also reviews of other Californication episodes: Californication Going On Mondays ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ... 6 ... 7 ... 8 ... 9
... 10 ... 11: Pivitol Mia ... 12: Californication Comes ... To a Season's End








5 minute podcast review of Californication






The Plot to Save Socrates


"challenging fun" - Entertainment Weekly

"a Da Vinci-esque thriller" - New York Daily News

"Sierra Waters is sexy as hell" - curled up with a good book

4 comments:

RikerDonegal said...

Yes, fantastic writing. Great central character. Wonderful show.

But how can you review it and not mention Paula Marshall?!

Seriously. That was awesome.

Paul Levinson said...

Riker, you're right - Paul Marshall was splendid - I'm putting her into my post!

Anonymous said...

Who was the blond who played the porn actress? There was a credit for Rachel Miner, but It didn't look like her.

Anonymous said...

Her name's Brooke Banner..she's an actual porn actress. She was in some amateur pov compliation I saw a few weeks ago. And she was easily the best thing about it..

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