Lakeview Terrace

A great villain in ‘Lakeview Terrace’

Chuck Zlotnick/Screen Gems

Samuel L. Jackson in "Lakeview Terrace."

“Lakeview Terrace” would be just another run-of-the-mill suspense, stalker film if it wasn't for the talents of Samuel L. Jackson.
Even a less-than-stellar script can be compensated for with a really good actor playing a really good villain.
Just think of the greatest film villain of them all, Robert Mitchum, as the nasty in “Night of the Hunter” and the original “Cape Fear.”
Jackson plays that kind of role in “Lakeview Terrace.” He has the ability to smile and say nice words while sending a cold shiver down your spine.
Jackson is Abel Turner, a stern widower who rules his two children with an iron fist. His wife died under mysterious circumstances while riding with her boss.
Enter the new neighbors, Chris Mattson (Patrick Wilson) and his wife, Lisa (Kerry Washington).
Ron Glass, formerly of "Barney Miller" fame, plays Lisa's rich father.
Abel takes an instant dislike to the interracial couple and starts playing mind games that escalate into real violence. Oh yeah, and Abel is a Los Angeles police officer. So who is the couple going to complain to?
The Wilson character quickly learns living next to the Jackson character won't be easy. He has strong security lights posted about his home that shine into the Wilsons' bedroom. Abel smiles and says he will take care of the lighting problem, but never does.
His dislike for the couple grows when he and his children can see them having sex at their pool.
Rich daddy Glass doesn't help the matters. While discussing problems with the new neighbors, he barely acknowledges Patrick's existence until Patrick asks that he address them both. Glass's character suggests they leave their "starter" home and buy another one with his help. The starter home looks pretty decent in size, with a full-sized swimming pool and a to-die-for view. The view becomes another character in the film when a wildfire in the valley gets closer and closer.
It's not the only wildfire in this film. Jackson's character hires a man to smash up the couple's home during a block party. When wife goes home early, Jackson is forced to shoot the man, turning the swimming pool a shade of pink.
The suspense mounts toward the violent ending. I won't give that away. But if you like movies with really bad guys and a shoreline that actually improves as the plot progresses, check out “Lakeview Terrace.” You might even appreciate your neighbor more.

LAKEVIEW TERRACE • Directed by Neil labile • Screenplay by David Laugher and Howard Order • Runtime: 110 minutes • Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, violence, sexuality, language and some drug references • Three stars out of four

Little Children

Compelling stories in ‘Little Children’

New Line Cinema

Sadie Goldstein, Kate Winslet, Ty Keegan Simpkins and Patrick Wilson in"Little Children."

“Little Children” paints an absorbing portrait of several dysfunctional adults and how their lives play out within their spheres of acquaintances and individually.

Each character's foibles and hang-ups help make this a compelling story.

I've watched this film twice and got more out of the tale the second time around.

Kate Winslet is Sarah, whom we are supposed to believe is a bit on the plain side. She isn't.

She meets other mothers from the neighborhood at the local park where they sit and gossip while their children play. The other mothers are focused and organized. At precisely 10:30 their children are called by their mothers for the morning snack. Invariably, Winslet's character forgets her snack for her daughter and the others must share so the little girl doesn't go without.

The highlight for the other women is when "the prom king," as they call him, takes his child to the park.

The prom king is a stay-at-home dad played by Patrick Wilson. He has a law degree but can't seem to pass the bar examination. His wife, played by Jennifer Connelly, is the driven business executive who earns the family's living.

Ah, but there's more.

Jackie Earl Haley, whom as a youngster was one of the cutters in "Breaking Away," and was one of the "Bad News Bears, " plays a child molester who is released from jail. His mother, played by Phyllis Somerville, says he isn't a bad boy, he's just done some bad things. She knows her time on this planet is limited and wants him settled down with a nice girl.

Gregg Edelman plays Winslet's husband, who jeopardizes his career and marriage by starting a love affair with an Internet porn site.

Winslet and Wilson's characters find they have more in common with each other than their spouses and begin an affair.

The plot is actually a myriad of side stories. Besides Wilson's affair, he joins a rough-and-tumble pickup football team but enjoys watching kids skateboard.

Noah Emmerich plays a former cop who accidentally kills a boy who has a toy gun. He tries to make up for it by ridding the neighborhood of the pedophile.

This movie is a vignette of sidestories and for the most part they work.

The story lines don't tie up neatly, as our lives and troubles don't neatly come to a conclusion at a certain point.

But you will become drawn to the stories and characters.

"Little Children" is an apt title. Watch this for the immaturity in us all.

LITTLE CHILDREN

• Directed by Todd Field

• Story by Field and Tom Perrotta

• Runtime: 130 minutes

• Rated R for strong sexuality and nudity and language

• 3 stars out of 4