Our Gang (Little Rascals) Classic Flix Blu-ray opinion
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:07 pm
Hi,
Those who visit Nitrateville may have seen this the post I've copied below. I agree with it 100%. The first volume DNR was not used as much , the 2nd volume more so. By Volume 4 it was heavy handed. I would have thought the folks behind the ClassicFlix releases knew better but I was wrong. They even supply comparisons that smugly brag about their efforts. I'm saddened as this was the last hope for the Roach Our Gang talkies to be restored to glory, instead they have been stomped on into submission.
Here is a capture from the Classicflix supplied restoration comparison.
To view a much large size image, go here: https://i.imgur.com/C2G07qG.jpeg
Let's focus on the human faces in the capture.
Use the link to the larger image please! On the left side of the capture Scotty and Spanky look lifelike. Faces on the left clearly shows a semblance of fine detail and even some evidence of freckles.
On the right side image any semblance of fine detail on the faces has been scrubbed and obliterated :( No evidence of freckles remain :( :( The skin/flesh of the faces are rendered unnaturally taught and shiny like low budget wax figures rather than lifelike human children.
If you prefer the scrubbed image on the right IMHO sadly you fall into the overwhelming majority of those that seemingly prefer a pseudo modern digital type look to vintage film. Thing is though with modern digital not only backgrounds and inanimate objects are clear and true to life but fine detail on humans and their faces remains. That does not happen when vintage film transfers are digitally scrubbed.
Like what you want, but to me the left image warts and all is far superior to the right, as the human faces look lifelike. Say what want, flame me and defend Clasicflix to the hilt, but nothing will ever change my mind that the right side image is crap is relation to the left.
Shame on the folks who were involved in these restorations as I'm sure they knew better but wanted to cater to those who my guess probably won't purchase these regardless of who they look to begin with. I'd wager those involved with the restorations kept something very much closer to the left side image for their own personal collections. Wish I had saved my money!
Those who visit Nitrateville may have seen this the post I've copied below. I agree with it 100%. The first volume DNR was not used as much , the 2nd volume more so. By Volume 4 it was heavy handed. I would have thought the folks behind the ClassicFlix releases knew better but I was wrong. They even supply comparisons that smugly brag about their efforts. I'm saddened as this was the last hope for the Roach Our Gang talkies to be restored to glory, instead they have been stomped on into submission.
Here is a capture from the Classicflix supplied restoration comparison.
To view a much large size image, go here: https://i.imgur.com/C2G07qG.jpeg
Let's focus on the human faces in the capture.
Use the link to the larger image please! On the left side of the capture Scotty and Spanky look lifelike. Faces on the left clearly shows a semblance of fine detail and even some evidence of freckles.
On the right side image any semblance of fine detail on the faces has been scrubbed and obliterated :( No evidence of freckles remain :( :( The skin/flesh of the faces are rendered unnaturally taught and shiny like low budget wax figures rather than lifelike human children.
If you prefer the scrubbed image on the right IMHO sadly you fall into the overwhelming majority of those that seemingly prefer a pseudo modern digital type look to vintage film. Thing is though with modern digital not only backgrounds and inanimate objects are clear and true to life but fine detail on humans and their faces remains. That does not happen when vintage film transfers are digitally scrubbed.
Like what you want, but to me the left image warts and all is far superior to the right, as the human faces look lifelike. Say what want, flame me and defend Clasicflix to the hilt, but nothing will ever change my mind that the right side image is crap is relation to the left.
Shame on the folks who were involved in these restorations as I'm sure they knew better but wanted to cater to those who my guess probably won't purchase these regardless of who they look to begin with. I'd wager those involved with the restorations kept something very much closer to the left side image for their own personal collections. Wish I had saved my money!