An uptight police officer (Samuel L. Jackson), who is the self-appointed watchdog of his neighborhood, strongly disapproves of the interracial newlyweds (Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington) who just moved in next door. A very stern, single father, this tightly wound LAPD police officer has appointed himself as the sole member of the neighborhood watch. As the movie progresses, he becomes increasingly hostile towards the bewildered pair, by going to great lengths to force them out of their home in order to “clean up the neighborhood.” Events take a tragic turn when the couple decides to fight back….
Any students at Neuqua Valley often complain about the vigilance that the Naperville Police department uses, but after comparing their experiences with those in the upcoming Blockbuster film, Lakeview Terrace, many will realize how lucky they are that they do not have openly corrupt cops who discriminate against them simply because of their lifestyle choices or race.
Samuel Jackson brings the same intensity and ferocity that many consider “scary good” to Lakeview Terrace. After viewing this film, many will draw comparisons between his character Jules Winnfield, the hit man in Pulp Fiction, who screams out memorized Bible verses and his newest character, Abel, who is an uptight police officer. Aside from his job as a police officer, Abel who continually begins to escalate his vigilance, brings comfort to some and paranoia to others. But as the movie progresses, he begins to become much more aggressive when interacting with the young couple. After viewing this film, students will come to realize that things can always be much worse. Instead of protecting and enforcing the law, policemen around Naperville could be harassing individuals at every turn.
Although many Neuqua students do not search for meaning when they go to the movie theater, after going to see LakeView Terrace, adults and kids ,alike, will feel a chill go down or back as they imagine having police like those in Lakeview Terrace.
By Derek Hickey, Echo sports editor
