Rating: 
Summary: Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It...
Review: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to watch "The Life of David Gale" and try to figure out what's going on! Then after you have watched it and figured it out, see if the movie self-destructs unbelievably!Nicholas Cage co-produced this movie and originally had intended to star in it. 2-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey ("The Usual Suspects" & "American Beauty") does a great job of making the film interesting. His studied focus throughout the film is only somewhat at odds with an alcoholic's penchant for erratic behavior. When he takes student Berlin played by Rhona Mitra (Sweet Home Alabama & Get Carter) in a bathroom from behind, one wonders how low the film can go! But doubt not, it goes lower than that! Former philosophy teacher & 1st-time screenwriter Charles Randolph throws in a plethora of plot twists & cliches. Kate Winslet's tiger reporter character is named "Bitsy Bloom." One wonders why. One can keep wondering; she had to be called something, no matter how odd the name. A rose by any other name smells as sweet; and Kate looks pretty good despite sporting a hairstyle from Budget Cuts. She plays this one-note performance with the skill and energy of a master musician furiously banging a B flat from a one-note song. She is determined; and even has her car malfunction at just the wrong time! While she won't add to her 3 Oscar nominations ("Sense & Sensibility," "Iris," "Titanic"), she is still a pleasure to watch. Laura Linney who had a Best Actress nomination in 2000 for "You Can Count on Me" does a wonderful job as Constance Harraway, the devoted member of Deathwatch, and anti-Capital punishment group. The film gets a sad note of irony as the character suffers from an apparently fatal case of leukemia. However, as she writhes and screams on the floor with a bag on her head in a mysteriously delivered video, one only wonders if Alan Parker used a body double. My favorite performance in the movie was by Matt Craven (Dragonfly) as Dusty Wright, the cowboy Deathwatch member that Bitsy suspects of the crime. He has a haunting role with few words that makes one wonder what "The Life of David Gale" could have been like as a silent movie. Gabriel Mann as Bitsey's assistant Zack Stemmons does a great job of sassing and being supportive. Leon Rippy (The Patriot, Universal Soldier) as lawyer Braxton Belyeu is wonderfully creepy. It's been a long time since Alan Parker was nominated for Best Director, "Midnight Express" [1978] & "Mississippi Burning" [1988]. "The Life of David Gale" is well paced, with good performances by the cast. Ultimately, this is not a movie about capital punishment, however. It is a mystery tale that uses the theme to its own ends, rather unsuccessfully. It boils down to whether it's believable for someone to kill herself & himself to prove it can be done. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to watch this DVD for the good performances; and then let it go. Unfortunately, that is not a mission impossible.
Rating:
Summary: Yet Another Spacey Genius Gone Martyr Flick.
Review: ... Kevin Spacey has carved a niche for himself in the annals of Hollywood character actors. He is the movies' genius martyr/murderer. Whether he's dying/killing for a greater cause, to get rich, or, to become infamous, he's always the guy who knows better than everyone else. The movies I am referring to are "The Life of David Gale," "The Usual Suspects," and "Se7en." Of course ,"American Beauty" and "K-Pax" are other variations on this theme. In 'The Life of David Gale" (TLODG) Spacey again puts on the genius mask, the predictable mannerisms, and just the right amount of alligator tear to hoax the audience into a plot twist. It's getting to the point where we expect a twist, a shock, a surprise, whenever Spacey shows up on screen. I can no longer see his face and believe he is who he's pretending to be. It's a sign of impending predictability and eventual boredom. Watch out Mr. Spacey, your career may be sacrificed next. TLODG is the perfect vehicle for Spacey. All he had to do for this one was to appear like Hannibal, but alot [weaker]. On the other hand, I can't say enough good things things about Laura Linney and Kate Winslett. Their performances were strong and convincing. Indeed, their performances in this movie had to be strong, given the over-wrought script. Granted, the death penalty issue is philosophically, legally, and spiritually challenging, but this story is simply way over the top. ... Their scheme is good drama but far removed from reality based arguments against the death penalty. Alan Parker has a knack for such over-dramatized stories. He is a good director and knows how to effectively manipulate the audience's emotions and allegiance, but, viewed through the retrospectoscope, he will probably be noted for his cinematic hysterionics rather than for his artistry. TLODG has enjoyed mass market appeal while remaining a critical failure for exactly this reason; texture but no taste. 1 star for performances, 1 for direction, and 1 for overall entertainment value, but that is all and there is no more. This movie is OK at best.
Rating: 
Summary: Give me life, or I will die!
Review: I always enjoy Kevin Spacey so even though I missed it at the theater I rented it when it became available. I was surprised that as good as it was I had not heard about it previous to my rental. The story of a professor that is accused of rape and then murder and put on death row is fascinating. The journalist that tries to prove his innocence before he is executed only has 72 hours so the suspense builds. I don't want to say more since I might give away to much. Suffice it to say if you like Spacey, dramas, suspense, or movies like Shawshank Redemption, you will enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Well Made, Nicely Acted and an Interesting Plot....
Review: Rather than reiterate whats already been said in other reviews about the story line, I would like to say that this is one of the better examples of acting I've seen this summer. Kevin Spacey is excellent in his role as a liberal, alcoholic college professor whose active libido involves him in unimaginable misfortunes. The supporting actors are all very well cast into their respective roles. The plot will maintain your interest throughout the movie and unlike many other dramas available today this one is not overacted to the point of stupidity.
Two plus hours of solid entertainment!
Rating:
Summary: A very good movie
Review: I found the Life of David Gale a very good movie! the end of the movie is very good and the performance of Mr. Spacey is incredible, as usual! Although when the film is over, I got to think that the movie doesnt show a David super activist Gale! it shows more of a drunken, lovin father and problematic person! so I think that they should enhance that section of his life, because the end (and of course, the whole movie..only we dont know that during the drama..) is related to that! just to end, I think that Spacey did wrong playing with Winslet feelings, although, the first think he said was "I dont want u to save me".
besides this, great ending, great spacey! if youre a fan of super special effects and "crap" movies like Matrix or XXX , dont go see this! it has to much inteligence...
Rating: 
Summary: a dichotomy
Review: This movie was disturbing for all the wrong reasons. First, the acting ranged from superb (Spacey) to very good (Linney) to chew the scenery big-time (Kate). The direction was great, and so was the screenplay. The movie, however, wasn't enjoyable at all. It was simply cheap exploitation. Worth watching (rent it),but only with a hand firmly on the FF button
Rating:
Summary: Good pacing. Fine acting. Wonderful surprise conclusion.
Review: From all the publicity when this film first came out, I knew it was about a death row inmate and a female reporter who tries to prove him innocent. However, that is only the barest of outlines of this rather complex and provocative film. There's more to this story than meets the eye and there's a real mystery here. The plot is full of surprises, and the film kept me up way past my bedtime with my eyes wide open in order to see how it all turned out. Kevin Spacey does a fantastic job as the man waiting for execution. It's the kind of role we've come to know him for --a troubled and bitter person who life has kicked in the teeth. He's a former philosophy professor who's lost his job and his credibility as a director of the anti-death penalty organization he directs. Now, he's been convicted of the murder of a co-worker at that organization, Laura Linney. After six years on death row, he's now about to be executed. However, just a few days before the execution, he contacts a reporter, Kate Winslet, known for her feistiness as well as her integrity. Through flashbacks, we learn his story. Winslet is convinced of his innocence. However, the story is not as simple as that. Most of the time I was at the edge of my seat and totally involved in the well-developed characterizations of the main characters as the plot twisted and turned and eventually led to a conclusion that took me by surprise. In addition, the film had a message, but it was buried in the story in such a way that it never seemed preachy. I really enjoyed the film. It was set in Texas and the sense of place was wonderful as was the good pacing and fine acting. The director, Alan Parker, and the screenwriter, Charles Randolph, deserve much praise.
Rating:
Summary: I'm disappointed
Review: I heard, like, 10 different people say that this movie had a very shocking ending. I wasn't shocked at all. I mean, I'm not gonna give it away, but it's really not shocking. Other than that huge disappointment, the movie is actually pretty good. It's worth a watch.
Rating:
Summary: Just like Arlington Road
Review: Great movie, smart ending - with good suspenseful "build". Spacey hasn't missed a beat in my opinion since LA Confidential. I also happened to rewatch Arlington Road this weekend and could not help draw comparisons in the plot line. Arlington Road is a great movie too, so if you get the chance try and view them both in the same weekend.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing....in more ways than one.
Review: You all know the story by now. Jesus, just read the other reviews. I'm not here to retell the story. The plot progressed rather nicely, and each plot peak (or twist) became larger throughout the film. True, I guessed the ending as well, so it was kind of anti-climactic. But eh...what can ya do? It still pleased me. There were rather disturbing moments that slap you in the face, but it was a good effect. I enjoyed the fact that I could recognize where some scenes were shot, since I've been on UTAustin's campus numerous times and it brought in some reality that I personally enjoyed (thus the slight bias). The acting was well done(I didn't expect anything less from Spacey), but I found Winslet's character to be slightly stale and rather morbid. She seemed to wear only black, never smiled through the whole movie(smirks don't count), and her emotions ranged between being scared or sobbing to sarcastic bitterness. I forgot journalists never use the rest of the emotion scheme (note the sarcasm). Everyone else was decently believable but didn't leave a grand impression pertaining to character depth. Including Laura Linney, which had me rather disappointed. In any case, the story is what drives this film, and thus far, I'd have no problem with giving this film 4 stars. But sadly enough, it's bumped down to 2 stars thanks to Alan Parker the director. The disturbing "flashback" transitions between past and present not only made me chuckle, but they reminded me of a mix between the campy 1966 Batman movies with Fincher's Seven. The transitions were completely unnecessary and actually rather annoying with the twirling scenes juxtaposed with written words. As for a suspense/thriller, the scenes were filmed in a traditional style with bland angles that actually took away from the story. Loosen up, Alan! As for mistakes, editing or otherwise, I didn't see too many. I recall one, when the cowboy guy was being his usual stalker self, listening to opera music in his truck. As he started the car, radios or CD players usually reset themselves due to the surge of electricity from the engine starting, but when he started his old clunker, the music kept on playing. Minor mistake, but there we go. A good plot, but tainted with flat characters & even flatter directing.
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