I was asked to do a review on Tyler Livingston’s new DVD production, “A Most Remarkable Book” regarding new insights on the Book of Abraham, the papyrus, etc. I was eager to review the video, but upon opening the hermetically sealed case, there was no DVD in it.
So, until Tyler can get me the DVD, I thought I would review the DVD case.
It is a standard-sized case. The cover is a dark brown, with lettering in a golden yellow. Those are well chosen colors, because though it is not a stark contrast (as you would have with black background and neon yellow font), the letters still stand out.
Nicely added to the cover is the round image of the Joseph Smith Hypocephalus. The hypocephalus, used in Egypt from the Late Period (623BC) onward, was normally placed underneath the head of the deceased to help him on his path through the after life. The Joseph Smith hypocephalus is dated to the first or second century AD.
While the image seems to be in Sepia, it is possibly the original color of the papyri that gives it the ancient look it has. That and it is 2 millennia of age.
The case is made of a good quality black plastic. To remove the DVD (for those who get a DVD with their case), it shows instructions to push the center button to release the DVD.
I hope this has been a valuable review for all of my readers. I also hope that quality control is better handled for future shipments of this video, as I believe the information on the DVD itself will benefit people much more than my review of the case.
Rame, ouch!!! But I got a chuckle out of your review.
That was the idea. Just a little fun. I realize that Tyler had nothing to do with the empty case. His productions are usually top notch. But on replicating, he’s relying on others. He told me he may have to go with another replicator, as this one’s been having some problems on this production. Once he sends me the DVD, I’m sure I’ll have an equally delightful review.
As a graphic designer I do feel like the image on the case is a little off-center, and not for any clear aesthetic reason.
Of course it is off center! Those in the center are not doing well in this politically polarized environment.
I would have to subtract a star for using the overused “Papyrus” font on a work about a papyrus.
Not being familiar with it, I found a preview on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFHc-i83kM
And from a review standpoint and not relating at all to content, but form, it feels really uncomfortable to be watching a bunch of people talking to “me” but never looking at me, since the camera is always on one angle, and apparently the interviewer(?) is always to the other side of the camera. So they are telling me things that are true, but not looking me in the eye while doing it. It’s actually disconcerting. Of course, that’s just a minute or so of various clips, so the entire DVD could play out differently? “Why are you looking me in the eye?!?!” when you tell me to pray about it… but the answer is presumably, they’re looking at the narrator or interviewer and the camera is positioned differently.
So I’d be curious this same kind of feeling exists in the entire DVD. They could overcome this bias, if they actually included the narrator/interviewer in the shot from time to time, so it was clear they were talking to someone other than me, who they aren’t making eye contact with.
Strange comment I know… anyone else get that vibe from the trailer?
“Why aren’t you looking me in the eye?!?!”