DVD Review: Pathology
Written by: Ashtyn at 9:43 pm
Movie Info:
Writer: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Director: Marc Schoelermann
Cast: Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Weston, Alyssa Milano, Lauren Lee Smith, Johnny Whitworth, John de Lancie, Mei Melançon, Keir O’Donnell, Buddy Lewis, Dan Callahan, Larry Drake, Med Abrous
Rating: R
Studio: MGM
Release Info:
DVD Release Date: September 23, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99
I am happy to say that when I put this in to watch, the sinking feeling of “this is going to suck” quickly faded once it began. You see, I apparently mixed this movie up with another horror movie of the same name. When the film started I said to myself, “I didn’t know Alyssa Milano was in this.” That was about the time I realized that I thought this was another movie and settled in for something that I hoped would be good.
It was good. It was not what I expected at all. The writing was good and the acting fit the bill perfectly. The characters were not necessarily relatable or likable, but they were definitely engaging. Many of the actors share a common chemistry that resonates through the screen. In moments of tension, it is not only seen, but felt. While this might not have been a major blockbuster waiting to happen it is definitely worth watching.
Pathology only made around $100,000 at the box office, which is most definitely pathetic. However, this is a movie that received next to no advertising. You shouldn’t hold that against it because it is a decent movie. The story is not necessarily new or completely original, but it is done much better than most that are like it. The combination of sharp witted storytelling and good acting goes a long way for this thought to be meager film.
To be honest, I am disappointed that they sent a screener copy for review because this is a movie that will definitely play more than once in my house. I guess that means I am just going to have to go out and buy it. I have not gone DVD shopping in a long time, but this one is worth it.
ThePathology Plot
Ted Grey (Milo Ventimiglia) is a young medical student that seems to have his head on his shoulders. He’s engaged to a girl named Gwen (Alyssa Milano) and life seems to be going well. Their relationship will go through a mild test when Grey goes offer to the big city to enter a prestigious pathology program. The main problem is that the program is filled with psycho nut jobs that are determined to drag him down into the abyss with them.
It does not take long for Ted to meet Dr. Jake Gallo (Michael Weston), the superstar whiz kid of the program. Along with Gallo, Ted meets Gallo’s girlfriend, Dr. Juliette Bath (Lauren Lee Smith) and the other whiz kids, which make up a secret group that is about to blow Ted’s mind.
The group decides in order to make things more interesting they should meet in an old, abandoned part of the hospital and do some extra studying. Each time they convene for study practice, someone brings a body that they murdered. The others in the group are able to perform an autopsy to attempt to guess how the murder was committed. The goal is to stump the others in the class in order to know that the winner performed the perfect murder.
However, things begin to spiral out of control thanks to Gallo’s drug use and the fact that murders turn Ted and Juliette on so much that they begin having an affair, anywhere and everywhere they can get naked. After a break for the holiday, Ted brings Gwen home to the big city to stay with him. When his new friends don’t exactly approve of her, things become even more complicated.
Members of the group begin to die rather than criminals or diseased people that were not going to live anyway. As the pathology program and underground group continue to spiral out of control, life may hinge on one doctor attempting to murder another in order to stay alive.
Gore fans will enjoy the brooding feel of the film along with the several, very realistic autopsy scenes. The bodies that were used look lifelike enough to question whether or not they were real. I don’t think they were real, but they certainly offered a strong visual to the story.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability: 
Acting:
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
I would love to explain how wonderful the actual audio and video are for Pathology, but I received a screener and unfortunately the quality is not always comparable to what ends up on store shelves. The video comes in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with anamorphic widescreen. While I am sure some improvements will be made from the screener, the quality thus far is decent. The colors were good and there were little problems with grain and noise.
The audio is available in Dolby Digital 5.1 for English and Dolby Digital Surround for Spanish. Both offer Closed Captioning. Subtitles are available in English and Spanish. The sound remained consistent for the most part with little need to adjust the volume. The audio was dynamic during moments of music and sound effects. The dialogue is easy to hear and understand at all times. For a screener these weren’t bad audio and visual options, but I am going to leave off the rating to be fair.
Bonus Features:
The special features get rolling with a commentary by director Marc Schoelermann and the writers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. This isn’t a bad commentary if you’re into that sort of thing. I could have taken it or left it, but then I am not big into commentaries for the most part.
“Creating the Perfect Murder” lasts for about 15 minutes and is a making of featurette that looks into many of the gory details of making this film. This is followed up by “Cause of Death,” a chat with pathologist Craig Harvey, which lasts for close to ten minutes. The special features are finished up with an extended version of the last autopsy scene, a music video, and some trailers for other MGM/Fox films.
Bonus Features:
Bottom Line:
Like most horror/thriller movies, you will be required to suspend some belief in order to enjoy this film. There are some things that don’t necessarily make sense, but if they did make sense then there wouldn’t be a movie. If you like horror/thrillers you should definitely either rent or buy this. The story is decent and if you like a little gore, you will love all the blood and graphic medical displays in this film.
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: DVD, Crime, Thriller, Medical, Pathology, MGM, Alyssa Milano, Murder, Perfect Crime
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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
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Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.
