Retro IONCINEMA.com

Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2008: #79 Lakeview Terrace

Published on January 29, 2008

#79. Lakeview Terrace

Director: Neil LaBute
Writer: David Loughery, Howard Korder
Producers: James Lassiter (I Am Legend) and Will Smith
Distributor: Screen Gems

The Gist: A young couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) has just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor, who disapproves of their lifestyle. A stern, single father, this tightly wound LAPD officer (Samuel L. Jackson) has appointed himself the watchdog of the neighborhood. His nightly foot patrols and overly watchful eyes bring comfort to some, but he becomes increasingly harassing to the newlyweds. His persistent intrusions into their lives ultimately turn tragic when the couple decides to fight back.

Fact: In 2007, LaBute wrote the play In A Dark Dark House .

See It:
After The Wicker Man there is only one place to go but up. LaBute has been taking on different genres as of late and I think it is fair to say we miss the twisted sense of humor he developed in his first two films. Let us hope that this thriller incorporates his trademark tone.

Release Date/Status?: Fall release: September 19th.

Related Topics:

Eric Lavallée

Eric Lavallée is the founder, CEO, editor-in-chief, film journalist and critic at IONCINEMA.com (founded in 2000). Eric is a regular at Sundance, Cannes and TIFF. He has a BFA in Film Studies at the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema. In 2013 he served as a Narrative Competition Jury Member at the SXSW Film Festival. He was an associate producer on Mark Jackson's This Teacher (2018 LA Film Festival, 2018 BFI London). In 2022 he served as a New Flesh Comp for Best First Feature at the 2022 Fantasia Intl. Film Festival. Current top films for 2022 include Tár (Todd Field), All That Breathes (Shaunak Sen), Aftersun (Charlotte Wells).