This time it was Jennifer’s turn to ‘Pick a Flick’ and she chose the thriller Lakeview Terrace.

Plot: A young couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) have just moved into their California dream home in a quiet, upscale neighbourhood when they become the target of their next-door neighbour (Samuel L. Jackson), a police officer who disapproves of their interracial relationship.

What Jennifer thinks

There have been some great creepy neighbour thrillers over the years, with Rear Window and Pacific Heights among the best. Lakeview Terrace certainly ranks high on the list, due largely to Samuel L. Jackson’s performance.

Part of what makes his character so unsettling is his very specific racism. The reason for his loathing of the mixed-race couple that moves in next door is explained late in the movie, but that still doesn’t ease our discomfort.

Even more disturbing is that — as a police officer — he justifies his actions, however brutal, as being in the service of a greater good.

Lakeview Terrace is a movie specifically designed to make the audience uncomfortable. It forces us to confront issues of race and violence — things most of us hope to never have to face.

It’s not necessarily an enjoyable experience, but it’s one that will stay with you.

I give it three-and-a-half stars out of five. Your results may vary.

What Murray thinks

I’d seen so many previews for Lakeview Terrace that I felt as if I’d already seen it before I actually did.

I was wrong. I expected the same run-of-the-mill bad neighbour thriller we’ve seen plenty of times before. This one was different.

It made you think, and it forced you to think. Is it a black-and-white issue, is it a police issue, is it just a good and bad issue, is it a matter of circumstance or is it a combination of everything or none of the above?

Samuel L. Jackson was sensational, as usual. He was chilling as a bad guy, and convincing when trying to be a good guy. He kept you on the edge of your seat.

Overall, Lakeview Terrace is well worth your while. It’s a movie you can talk about and think about long after it’s over.

I give it 3.8 stars.