in reviewing again shots on Portra 400NC, 400VC, and Kodak Gold 200, I much prefer the Gold films for my color negatives. NC was too "flat," which is probably intentional, the VC was fine, but the Gold 200 was simply better for all kinds of shots - informal portraits, landscape, and city scenes.
I'm sure the reason is the Portra films are designed for studio use and controlled lighting, and I have never shot under those conditions. I'm going to stick with Kodak Gold, but then, I'm not a studio professional.