Kalifornia

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional acting , incredible plot
Review: This movie was well written and acted. You feel like you are honestly watching a psycho in action. Duchovny and Pitt make formidable friends then enemies. Positively worth watching.

Rating:
Summary: Shocking or schlocky? That's the point!
Review: This movie takes a familiar premise and makes the most of it, doing a pretty darn good job in the process. David Duchovny stars as Brian, a guy writing a book on serial killers who wants to take a cross-country tour of historic murder sites with his girlfriend phtographer, Carrie (Michelle Forbes). To share expenses on the trip and liven things up, they take along a trailer trash couple named Early (Brad Pitt) and Adele (Juliette Lewis). Unfortunately for all involved, Early is a serial murderer himself.
There's a lot going for this movie, particularly the performances by Pitt and Lewis. They get so immersed in their characters, you can almost smell them. Pitt is outstanding. He ain't just a pretty face (in this movie, he's nearly unrecognizable); he acts the hell out of his role. Some critics might say it doesn't take a lot of talent to play a moronic dirtbag, but check out all the nuances Pitt gives Early, and you'll disagree. It's easily one of the best performances of his career, and certainly the most disturbing.
Lewis, for her part, is often accused of "always playing the same character," but this is not true. For all her childlike foolishness and pitiful gazes, Adele is a sad, complex creature who becomes the movie's emotional core. Indeed, Adele would have a major struggle on her hands just trying to complete the first grade, and her voice and behavior might annoy the socks off of us (not to mention Brian and Carrie), but are there people in the world like her? Yes. They put us in the awkward position of earning our sympathy while making us uncomfortable. Then we feel guilty that we're uncomfortable. Courage and independence come easily to some people, just as lies and deceit are the natural tools of others. But Adele posesses none of the above. She is simply an innocent, dealt a rotten hand in life, and Lewis's ability to make this clear proves her acting talent. It's a tricky role, but she pulls it off beautifully. There's a world of difference between Adele and the character Lewis plays in "Cape Fear."
Duchovny (who, with his dry monotone and sparse facial expressions, has always been an acquired taste) does well in the role of Brian. He is repelled by Early and Adele, but won't admit it. He also makes the mistake of regarding them as an amusing curiosity. Forbes does a good job too, but with the marathon of excellent acting going on around her, she won't be the character you'll remember the most.
Thematically, some might find the movie a little shaky. Suffice to say, it's violent enough to put off many potential viewers, but that's not what I mean. Some have criticized Pitt's portrayal of Early as not in-depth enough, that is, why is Early a serial killer? Do we get "inside his head"? Is it enough to justify his crimes simply because we need them for the plot? Let me tell you what I think. Early kills for two reasons: opportunistic impulse, or to escape capture. Technically, this makes him NOT a serial killer. He's more like Charles Starkweather, not Jeffrey Dahmer. It's rather fitting that Brian, after all his theorizing about "the minds of serial killers" and preaching about "treatment, not punishment", should be faced with someone who kills out of small-minded necessity, not sadism or sexual desire.
All in all, a very good movie, if you can stomach the violence. It gives you a lot to think about, as well as a couple of significantly underappreciated performances to amaze you.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT DARK CINEMA
Review: Well Brad Pitt Hollywood pretty boy kills that image in this great film.Brad Pit is Early a white-trash,Serial killer.Pitt
gets the image down cold,the hair,beard,accent,tatoo's he is a
blast to watch.Juliette Lewis is great to as Early' girlfreind
who's harmless and terrified of Early.David Ducovany(X-files)is
his usual yuppy self but was right for the part.I can't decide
witch on the road killing spree movie I like more Kalifornia or
the classic Natural Born Killers.Both are going head to head
Watch both and you'll see what I mean both are aquirred taste
and if your not into violence for pleasure and dark humor avoid
both but if you like violence for pleasure and are into just flat
out guilty pleasures watch on.Although Kalifornia is a more real
-istic violent Natural Born Killers is action violent.See both now.All hail Brad and Woody.Mickey and Earlyt

Rating:
Summary: "Cold weather makes people stupid, and that's a fact."
Review: I first saw Kalifornia (1993) back in the mid 90's, and I seem to recall enjoying it much more than I did when I watched it again last night. Has ten years difference changed my perception to the point where I don't like the things I used to? Maybe...but I think what happened here is the novelty of the film wore off a bit...don't get me wrong, I still think it's pretty good, but the flaws seem to stand out a lot more than they used to...directed by Dominic Sena (Gone in Sixty Seconds, Swordfish), the film stars a post Thelma and Louise/pre Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles Brad Pitt, a pre X-Files David Duchovny, Juliette Lewis (What's Eating Gilbert Grape), and Michelle Forbes (Escape from L.A.).

Duchovny plays Brian Kessler, a graduate student who, based on a well received magazine article, scores a book deal, and now must actually produce said book (about serial killers) as he's already spent the advance money, but is finding it difficult to get started, as his knowledge and experience is severely limited. He gets the bright idea to actually drive across the country, final destination being California, visiting sites where these atrocities took place, hoping to get a `feel' for what he's writing about. He enlists his girlfriend Carrie (Forbes), an aspiring photographer, to take pictures of the sites to use in the book, and she's only too happy to go along, as she's finding little support for her frank and explicit photos in the heartland, and hopes for better prospects on the west coast. Seeing how the trip will cost some money (and the fact they're driving a late model Lincoln Continental with suicide doors, getting all of about 8 miles to the gallon...good choice for a cross country drive, by the way), they post a notice at the university, hoping to find another couple wanting to go to California and share the expenses. Their ad is answered by the epitome of white trash in Early Grayce (a very shaggy Pitt) and his girlfriend Adele (Lewis), a pair of oakies (as commented by Carrie), but, despite Brian and Carries misgivings, and the fact no one else answered the ad, they begin on their trek. The trip starts of okay, but soon goes down the proverbial toilet as the yuppie couple discover Early is not only a convicted criminal in violation of his parole, but is also an violent, remorseless serial killer, leaving a trail of bodies as the quartet makes their way west (I guess a background check on prospective traveling companions might have be in order prior to embarking on this journey).

I guess my biggest problem with this film was there were no likable or identifiable characters...Brian and Carrie are a pair of pretentious, intellectual snobs, with Carrie obviously the more dominant of the pair, Brian the type to attempt to put up a meager front, but often acquiescing to his much stronger willed, somewhat masculine, girlfriend. I do like Duchovny in a number of things I've seen him in, but his effeminate side tends to make his character here seem weak and malleable, which works for the story as he actually begins to look up to Early and his brutish characteristics as part of some creepy form of male bonding (which later turns to bondage). Given his apparent level of intelligence, you'd think he would be past this kind of childish hero worship, but not so...Carrie comes across as the dominant feminista type, constantly forcing her opinion down Brian's throat, whether he asks for it or not, often throwing hissy fits when coming across things that don't fit within her realm of sensibility, despite the fact that her photographs, which tend to be extremely sexually explicit, would put off all but the most opened minded. If you met her character in person, your first impression towards her sexual orientation would be that of a lesbian, but then given how much of a woman Duchovny's character is, they seem to fit together pretty well. And then there's Adele...one of the more annoying cinematic characters I've witnessed in a long time. Her mental state is that of a 4 year old, constantly blathering on and on about the most inane minutia, living in denial about the true nature of her boyfriend and the very real fact he's a cold blooded killer. In this respect Lewis did well, but I honestly didn't feel like she extended herself too much for her part, as I imagine her to be much like this in real life. Finally there's Early, played very well by Pitt. He is what he is, and you'd be pretty unobservant not to be able to see that...you might not realize he's a killer, but spending any amount of time with him, one would get a sense he's capable of savage brutality, a sense that violence is as natural to him as breathing. Pitt's the real reason to see this film, as he puts himself into character about as thoroughly and completely. I thought director Sena did a very good job, using location shots to effectively convey the proper feeling of the particular scene, but the film could have been cut by about ten or fifteen minutes, as it tended to drag a little (the film runs just shy of two hours).

The picture quality on this DVD is excellent as is the audio, and features both the widescreen (1.85.1) and fullscreen pan and scan versions. Also included is the option to watch the unrated version of the film, which is about a minute longer. Other special features included are the theatrical trailer, a lame `making of' featurette, and a short booklet insert with production notes, which tells us the reason they used the letter `K' in the title was because there was already a film titled California, released in the 40's, and wasn't meant to reflect any `deeper' meaning.

Cookieman108


Rating:
Summary: Write a book about something you know nothin about...
Review: When others ask me to describe this film to them, I always use the words "ironic". Why? The overuse of over-educated not realizing what is happening until midway through the film seemed to work in this film. Duchovny and Forbes are those two over-educated people that want to witness the truth of humanity, but when faced with they cower in fear. It is ironic, one could say.

Not only is the ironic nature of this film fun, but it is definitely one of those movies that is taken up a notch due to the actors. Pre-Jennifer Aniston Brad Pitt is perfection in his role, and Juliette Lewis was on the top of her career with this film. She nearly stole this film from everyone else. It is sad to see her fall as hard as she has. Lewis explored every avenue of her character and was not afraid to go overboard and show us the true emotion of her role. We cannot give sole credit to Lewis for her part in this film, we also need to thank director Dominic Sena for pushing Lewis to explore this un-simple role further. I could not imagine anyone else in her part. Lewis was a great asset to this film. She helped release some of the tension felt between Duchovny and Pitt when they were trying to reach the same level as Lewis.

While the acting commands its own attention, it is the story that impressed me the most of this film. It is very dark, gritty, and real. The powerful women's roles in this film surprised me for the time, but also helped me dig deeper into the overall themes of confusion and social structures. Feminism did have a bit part in this film, and Sena was not afraid to show it through Lewis. While you will find moments that seem a bit cliché, Kalifornia is a powerful film that yields some decent acting with a very gripping story.

Grade: ***** out of *****

Rating:
Summary: In My Top 20 All-Time
Review: Kalifornia is one of my top 20 favorite all-time films, even though the X-files guy is weak as ususal.... everyone else is excellent.

Rating:
Summary: why?
Review: i just watched this movie again last night on tv, so it was pretty tamed down, but it is still pretty dark. my question is the whole time i watched it was, "why?" what was the ultimate point?

i get it overall, i guess, the yuppies who fancy murders get a real life murderer in thier backseat, and until they actually realize how bad he is, they are taken with him. she lusts for him sexually in the back of her mind, and he lusts for his freedom and guts. until they come face to face with what they think they want.

i guess what i really don't like about this movie is that it becomes what (i'm giving it the credit of having an ultimate point here) its mocking. i mean, does brad pitt have to rape her? (thats going way to far, though i appreciate them not showing it) can we get a little more insight into his brad's characters mind? i do admit i like the idea (since there really is nothing to go on otherwise) that he's bad just because he's bad, at least its not all sappy or anything, but, is all the killing for any kind of point? or is it just lazy writing that they attempt to make up for with beautiful actors and hip camera angles?


i mean,the thing is, its just not the greatest movie. its dark and violent sure, yet not that thought provoking or original. and i have to wonder,
(assuming that the point is tied into the yuppies naive love of dark art until they come face to face with evil) who will the audience be? will they get it? or will they just watch it and like "how hot brad pitt looks!" or how "its so dark and evil!"? i guess, like the scene where brad pitt looks at her "artistic and tasteful" pornographic photos and laughs, the joke is supposed to be on them. but if they don't get it, i mean, what? it just feeds an already gross mindset.

or is this just all in all not that great of a movie? i mean, if its supposed to just be entertainment, or it really thinks its a suspenseful or action packed, then its total crap. if its supposed to have a point, i think it wallows to deep in blood and death to really say its anything different than just a crumby art film.

overall, it comes down to what is the redeeming value? is there just none? has the value been lost on those who watch it with the same lust that David Duchoveny's character had as he mumbled dramatically into his tape recorder? if so, then just throw the thing away if you own it and don't buy it if you don't. there's got to be a better way to spend your time.

Rating:
Summary: Shocking or schlocky? That's the point!
Review: For those who love psychological thrillers in the tradition of Seven, Natural Born Killers and Frailty, this film is a great find.
Brian(David Duchovny) is an author preoccupied with serial killers. As research for his latest book, he decides to embark with his girlfriend Carrie, on a cross country trip to visit the sites of some of America's most notorious murder sites. To defray the expenses of the trip, Brian recruits Early Grace(Brad Pitt) and his dimwitted girlfriend Adele(Juliette Lewis) to journey with him. As the trip progresses, Early's increasingly violent nature and past reveals itself and culminates in a terrifying murder spree.
The greatest thing about this film is the wonderful cast who turn in completely believable and harrowing performances. Pitt in particular is cast in a totally atypical role and comes shinning through creating a complex and interesting character in the maniacal Early Grace. Michelle Forbes is excellent too as Duchovny's suspicious girlfriend Carrie, adding copious amounts of sexual tension to the film with her imposing presence. Lewis turns in her usual performance, eternally typecast as the idiotic, victimized, easily manipulated female (for more on this refer to Cape Fear and Cold Creek Manor). This is actually one of her better performances as she elicits a considerable amount of pity and sympathy.
The film is beautifully shot and very well paced, with nicely developed characters. Like similar films like Seven and Natural Born Killers, it is also quite violent but miles above intellectually the usual serial killer/slasher fare that Hollywood churns out.
The DVD presentation is good too, even though the video quality is lacking in some areas with a fair amount of grain and white speckle lines visible in the darker scenes. The R rated and uncut versions are included but the differences are negligible as both versions run 115 Mins. The option for widescreen or full frame presentation is also included.
The DVD also includes a making of...featurette and the theatrical trailer.
In conclusion, this is a chilling, remarkable piece of film making that belongs in every DVD collection. The minor video flaws on this DVD are more than compensated for by the low retail price. It would be nice to see a more comprehensive collector's edition of this DVD available someday.

Rating:
Summary: Yes, Brad Pitt Can Act
Review: For those who doubt that Brad Pitt can act, consider this: he is one of the four main characters in this film, and it took me half the movie to figure out who he was.

What particularly amazed me was the way the movie manages to convey the full extent of Early's psychotic nature, but at the same time enticing you almost to warm to him. The "older brother/younger brother" relationship that develops between the two men, and the "girl friend" relationship that develops between the women, create a fine balance with and path towards the final conflict. The consequences of meddling in other people's relationships are also subtly and disturbingly illustrated.

Duchovny and Forbes are adequate placeholders, but Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis excel. Pitt is terrifyingly convincing as the swaggering psychopath with an earthy charm. Lewis's childlike character has been justly praised in other reviews.

This is certainly a movie that defies genres - for all the violence (which is much less than you'd expect) it has a dark and subtle charm to it.