Kael Passes The Baton

Pauline Kael, the late New Yorker movie critic, was the master of the pithy, scathing review.

Finally, from beyond the grave (he says with visions of Frank Marino/Jimi Hendrix coursing through his head), the reviewing mojo is passed…

…to Gary Miller, who gives what could be called a “lukehellish” review to Showtime’s Californication:

After watching Duchovny’s character Hank Moody fornicate you want to beat him up. You want to break off one of his molars at the gum line. You want to sodomize him with a wooden plunger and make him thank you for it. You want to make him wear wool socks, drag his feat across some berber, and touch a door knob. Californication had me asking what day it was that God made David Duchovny and why couldn’t he have rested on that day also. I put it back in the little red envelope after 2 miserable episodes.

I’d never watch it on basic principle (not because of the subject matter so much as I boycott even once-removed Red Hot Chili Peppers references). But now, I’ll really not watch it.

One thought on “Kael Passes The Baton

  1. I tuned in originally because (a) I enjoyed the X-Files in college and (b) cable has some of the best dramas. I’m surprised he didn’t list “Rescue Me” and “The Shield” on his list (not to mention “Deadwood” and “Rome” which died prematurely) which are two of the best shows on television.

    I’ve watched the first three or four episodes and generally have to agree with his assessment. It’s pretty boring to watch and there’s not nearly enough FFFN to make it worth a half hour of listening to David Duchovny whine about how miserable his life is.

    I liked your line about avoiding RHCP references but my beef is that so many people in Hollywood think that they’re the ones who are interesting rather than the stories they’re supposed to tell. If I’m watching a drama or dramedy, I’m more interested in seeing what a cop or a firefighter does than I am about a depressed writer because what Tommy Gavin and Vic Mackey do is exiting and interesting to watch – Hank Moody not so much.

    Oh and if you haven’t yet – go see Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk.

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