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Porky Pig 101; no good.
Topic Started: Sep 22 2017, 10:55 AM (2,908 Views)
Frank Hale
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"Unfailingly likable" is a good way to put it.

Another Avery cartoon I really like, from the same period and for the same reasons, is "Ain't We Got Fun", which I think, DVD-wise, has shown up only as an extra on "The Life of Emile Zola".

Also very much in need of restoration. (As a cat-lover, I may be prejudiced.)
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thadk
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Avery has been criminally underrepresented since the DVDs started. Only a smattering of his WB cartoons were on the Golden Collections, and of the MGMs there was only the Droopy collection. They're all over the place as extras on the WB/MGM live-action movies, but those don't count. Really missed the boat with Tex's centennial in 2008.
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Laughing Gravy
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Mark Evanier's review of the Porky Pig set, which I only link to because I agree 100%. (Well, except that the set I have is a true DVD, not DVD-R.)

https://www.newsfromme.com/2017/10/26/bring-home-bacon/

"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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thadk
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98% perfect. Right. He must've picked up on some of Stan Lee's famous math (you know, putting a bullshit percentage on what exactly Jack Kirby contributed to Marvel Comics while under oath to justify not giving his kids money). Since the cartoons were not going to be restored, the set was never going to be perfect—just "acceptable" at best.
Edited by thadk, Oct 27 2017, 11:14 AM.
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thadk
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BTW, people are really late to the party reviewing this thing. It's been out for almost a month-and-a-half. None of the major review sites have picked up on it. Maybe it's for the best WA never sent out review copies... does anyone think this would pass the acid test from those sticklers at blu-ray.com and DVD Beaver?
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Laughing Gravy
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I absolutely think it would. No disrespect, but I haven't seen a bad review of it from anybody but you.
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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thadk
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No disrespect taken. But these reviews aren't from technical guys (I respect Maltin, but he's always a little too generous; no comment on Evanier). I sincerely doubt the sites I mentioned would give the dirt, emulsion scratches, film weave, nitrate decomposition, jump splices, and the audio lameness a free pass when those sites nitpick releases that actually did have money and full HD behind them. Glenn Erickson at DVD Savant gave it a pass, but he did note every single issue, which is shocking since he never gets into anything negative. I think it does a disservice to downplay the issues because they're legitimate concerns and are indicative that the wrong people worked on this. Since the sales were good enough that they're now sold out of the pressed copies (all future ones will be DVD-R), maybe now the hysteria against the critics can stop and we can calmly address how these issues happened and how to prevent them on the next sets.
Edited by thadk, Oct 27 2017, 07:07 PM.
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JazzGuyy
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Thadk, have you or anyone else you are familiar with directed your criticisms directly to George Feltenstein at Warner Archive? I am curious as to how he or others there might respond.
TANSTAAFL!
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thadk
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They haven't publicly commented, but they are aware of the issues , they will not be fixing them for this release, and they will not be offering replacements. Not sure why, since this is a MOD release and they've done corrections for other commercial sets in the past, and I think since so many are just fine with the sloppy work they probably would get what, fifty people to do the exchange?
Edited by thadk, Oct 28 2017, 08:47 AM.
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Laughing Gravy
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There's a review of it up at DVD Talk.
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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Laughing Gravy
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Greenbriar: http://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com/2017/10/lots-of-porkys-on-this-plate.html?m=1
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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The Batman
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Nov 7 2017, 12:15 PM

What a rambling, inarticulate review. I had to stop reading it.

Usually he is pretty good, though I have noticed over the years his grammar and sentence structure could use an editor.



Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Laughing Gravy
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I've always liked his writing style. If I had more time to ramble, I would. Well, except Mr. Hale suggested I keep my synopsiseses shorter.
"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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rodney
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I actually think that John is one of the finest writers on the topic going right now. I never have issues with his writing style. His books are essential as well.

Although, as always, I'm dismayed at the way people excuse glaring mistakes on sets of cartoons that would never fly with movies.

We collectively praise a guy for restoring Daredevils of the Red Circle, but condemn him for wishing an ounce of the same care was put into a set of cartoons. That says something. I'm just not sure what.

Oh well. I think we've beaten that dead horse back to life and then death again.
Edited by rodney, Nov 8 2017, 04:54 AM.
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The Batman
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Did you guys read the same article I did? The one I read was full of grammatical errors and definitely needed an editorial polish for clarity.

I hope his books are edited better.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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