Product Details

• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Dubbed: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Showtime Ent.
• DVD Release Date: November 1, 2011
• Run Time: 338 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005HMHPE0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,212 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The fourth season of this sordid yet irresistible view of life, loneliness, meaningless sex, and overindulgence set within inner circles of lowlifes living the high life could easily have been the last. At least one more season has already aired, but so many of the lingering dirty doings of novelist, and now screenwriter, Hank Moody (David Duchovny) are wrapped up that this 12-episode set feels like an arc-ending finale. In the final episode we also get a pretty good capsule description of Hank's tortured soul, which remains as unrepentantly corrupt as ever. The description is handed down by a judge who helps resolve some of the legal problems that have plagued him--temporarily at least. She tells him: "You live like an animal. You live in flagrant defiance of the rules of our society. Your true crime is that you seem committed to squandering your gifts and wasting what appears to be a rewarding life." That sure sounds like an abnormal and entirely unlikable character. Yet it is this charming charlatan who boldly anchors a hit premium cable TV series that revels in his bad behavior. As people have noted since the pilot, David Duchovny is the key to Californication's success. He fully embodies the adorable piece of man who acts reprehensibly even as that little-boy smile is charming the panties off every woman in sight and inducing envy and resentment in other men (things that Duchovny has sometimes been noted for in reality).

Hank Moody lives a life of pure hypocrisy, and the situations in season four continue to bear that out. Facing some serious criminal charges for statutory rape and assault of various kinds, Hank continues to pine for and believe that he's meant to be with Karen (Natascha McElhone, stunning and strong as always). But his babe tally keeps ratcheting up in concert with his pants zippering down. His daughter Becca (Madeleine Martin, another strong, appealing cast member) is the only other thing he loves honestly and completely, yet he embarrasses and burns bridges with her at every turn. With no home and a career that's dependent on the show-biz industry he loathes as much as himself, Hank is truly sinking and doing his best to dig the hole deeper with alcohol, drugs, casual sex, and fisticuffs. Californication is always frank even when it's being funny, which is most of the time. It's pretty much the definition of unrestrained adult entertainment. After one of the many brawls Hank instigates, he explains by way of apology, "I do that, I make people mad." At least he knows who he is. His agent and only friend Charlie Runkle (Evan Handler) has problems of his own--is there a baby in his vasectomied future? He also has some actual work to do now that Hank is in deep with Hollywood big shots. He's adapting his book with the unprintable title that chronicles most of what we've seen in the show so far. This narrative element makes for the entrance of more deliciously bedeviling characters. The always unpredictable Stephen Tobolowsky plays a neurotic producer with aging but raging hormones, and Rob Lowe literally goes nuts with his role as a Brad Pitt-like movie star who is probably certifiably psychotic. Carla Gugino is terrific as Hank's lawyer and possibly the only woman besides Karen who can make him grow up a little. Throughout it all Hank stays a self-hating jerk. But he's a jerk who people are inexorably drawn to in spite of his bald insincerity and unwavering defiance of the rules of society. --Ted Fry

Product Description

The Showtime Original Series Californication ended season three with bad-boy novelist Hank Moody being hauled off to jail for assaulting the boyfriend of his troublemaking, underage, former fling Mia. His home life with Karen and Becca is in ruins, but the scandal surrounding the publication of his latest book has turned him into a hot Hollywood commodity – in more ways than one. Can Hank navigate the mess he’s made of his life and come out on top? Don’t miss the all-new season four!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not all who wander are lost... September 1, 2011

By David Matthes

Format:DVD

For me, Californication has always been a story about the real, and not just real people, but REAL everything. Everything that happens on this show I could very well see happening in reality, especially given the setting in which it takes place in. And that's one of the many reasons why I love it and why I can connect with it on a personal level. For the majority of the show and its seasons thus far, Californication has mostly taken on a dark-comedic edge and while maintaining a serious edge throughout its plot threads, most of the time we're left laughing hysterically at the insanity the characters fall into(most of the time at their own faults).

Season 4 changes all that. And it does so near perfectly. This season takes a turn for the worse in that Hank faces the real-life consequences for his actions in prior seasons, and if anyone knows anything about character development and progression of story, a pivotal point in every story's duration is the point in which the characters feel truly lost and all hope has failed them. That's essentially what Season 4 has to offer. It's a dark time for Hank, and doesn't offer nearly as many laughs as Seasons 1 through 3.

So for anyone who's walking into this season with high expectations, you should still have them; this show is still as genius as ever, just take it with a grain of salt. It may take a few viewings to fully grasp that you're watching a drama moreover a comedy this time around. Can't wait for Season 5!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Show October 28, 2011

By G. SYLVESTER

Format:DVD

This show is so Brilliant, original and keeps it real. Just when you feel like "I want that life", the writers (and actors) give a 'real-does' of reality. This is what happens in real life and that is why I am a big fan of the show and all the cast members. Season 4 is great and I am so happy it is now available. I also want to thank Showtime for airing this show. They are the only True network for entertainment. All the other shows offered on Showtime air are great too (see the website and you will find out). So get all the Californication seasons and watch from the beginning.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Season yet! September 15, 2011

By Alex Chiperi

Format:Blu-ray

I've watched the show from the beginning and let me tell you this, Season 4 makes the difference. I think, disaccording with the reviewer before me, that Season 4 gets really deep into the Hank Moody character. You watch it and judge yourself. Enjoy!