The California Tour 2005
Distributed by Microcinema International/Microcinema DVD, 1636 Bush St., Suite #2, SF, CA 94109; 415-447-9750
Produced by Joseph Ison and Michael Borja
Directed by Melinda Stone
DVD, color and b&, 120 min.
Adult
Photography, Film Studies
Date Entered: 10/25/2005
Reviewed by Karen Straube, George Fox University, Newberg, ORThe California Tour is an eclectic mix of short films originally shot in 35mm or 16mm, shown at drive-in movie theaters in California in 2003. What might have worked in a large venue with audience participation does not carry over well to DVD. The films vary from four minutes of still shots of California county street signs to rapid shots of flowers interspersed with excrement. Unless the documentary is viewed first, some aspects of the feature presentation will not make much sense, such as the sections of voice-over black screen between the films, which is actually when the narrator talked to the audience during the live showings. The films are not entirely without merit. Film students will likely find the techniques used to make Decay of Fiction (Pat O’Neill, 2002) of interest, and Zea (Andre Leduc, Jean-Jacques Leduc, 1981) is a great short film that will keep the audience guessing as to what it is they’re seeing.
The DVD includes several extras, including deleted films, crew commentary, and a behind-the-scenes documentary. Viewing the documentary before watching the short films is recommended, as the films begin without any explanation of the California Tour project. Some of the film techniques might be of interest to film students, but will likely have little appeal to others.