 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Lakeview Terrace
- Review Date: September 16, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Thriller
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Scary, racism-themed thriller isn't for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the plot of this film -- which has very strong content for a PG-13 -- is driven by escalating violence, cruelty, and racism (much of it directed toward a racially mixed couple). A policeman is portrayed as unbalanced, aggressive, and threatening. Gunshots are fired out of and near an apartment where a husband holds his wife and baby hostage, and shoot-outs at close range result in the bloody deaths of two men. A policeman punches a suspect with a rifle, slaps his teen daughter in the face, and breaks the law to cover up his actions. Mildly sexual scenes involve a caring husband and wife kissing and hugging, with partial male nudity seen from the rear. There's also a fair amount of strong language (including "s--t" and "f--k"), smoking, and social drinking.
What's the story?
When racially mixed couple Lisa and Chris Mattson (Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson) arrive in their new suburban Los Angeles neighborhood, they're greeted with hostility by Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson), their African-American next-door neighbor. Rigid and seething with irra'ional latent anger, Abel -- a policeman who's raising two children by himself -- is the self-appointed marshal of Lakeview Terrace, and he's threatened by the Mattsons' Yuppie values, as well as the racial implications of their marriage. A series of confrontations heightens the antagonism and sets the neighbors against each other, escalating into a dangerous struggle -- all as a wildfire threatens to destroy the community.
Is it any good?
The early scenes of LAKEVIEW TERRACE are promising, with solid dialogue, a commanding performance by Jackson, and a thought-provoking twist that finds the super-bright African-American character portrayed as a bigot. Unfortunately, as the movie moves toward its formulaic, blood-spattered conclusion, these elements are misused, even exploited, to tell a routine story that's heavy with violence and too-obvious menace.
The filmmakers make a cursory effort to explain their villain's motives, but it's flimsy and comes too late. A subplot dealing with the marital problems aggravated by the young couple's predicament is well-intended but unoriginal and tedious. Director Neil LaBute is noted for his provocative filmmaking, but this is one of his lesser efforts.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how and why the filmmakers use racism to update the age-old story of feuding neighbors. Is this an effective choice? Why or why not? Is the movie trying to equate the danger of the advancing wildfires to the danger of the advancing personal racism? How do the climaxes of both events work together to resolve the story? What other issues come into play in the movie besides race?
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AGE
I think it was a good movie, but it has too many inappropriate things. Don't let your kids watch it.
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AGE
Ok, if you have the time to watch.
This was a ok movie. It does have some violence as in shooting and maybe so fist fighting. There is a scene at a bachelor's party, were i'm guessing strippers in very skimpy outfits dance very promiscuously on a man.
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AGE
You Can't Trust Your Own Neighbors
I just rented this-- terrible plot and so evil. Did not leave me with a good feeling when it was over. Kids absolutely do NOT need to see this.
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AGE
Worth A Rentel
this was a entertaining worth renting movie.
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AGE
Excellent movie
I liked it. It had quite the variety of language in there, and plenty of racism, but a VERY good film.
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AGE
BAD FOR ANYONE!
Its just so disgusting see im 20 and i dont even watch cuase there is so much porn!
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AGE
okay 12 and up
has some funny parts and some good points but not worth buying 12 and over for violence and sex if you guys want to see a classic that Sam Jackson plays in with bruce willis go watch the movie die hard 3 with a vengence you'll love the movie
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AGE
Dramtic and Good!
It's a good movie. People say it has "strong content" and is too scary for children under 18, but I think a 12 year old like myself is old enough to know police officers aren't "bad" or "mean" like this one is portrayed in the movie. It's dramatic and at times a little scary, but if you like thrillers, there's no reason a 12 year old shouldn't see this.
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AGE
Not the best Samuel L. Jackson movie
This movie has its fare share of action and sexual themes. Language is the same. You would think that for a samuel l. jackson movie there would be more action and violence but it is actually pretty limited. There are two f words and a lot of sh*s. The couple that lives next door to able is usually doing something sex related at night but no nudity is visible.
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| Studio: | Screen Gems |
| Director: | Neil LaBute |
| Cast: | Kerry Washington, Patrick Wilson, Samuel L. Jackson |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 18, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | January 27, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense thematic material, violence, sexuality, language and some drug references. |
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