Documentary
Rod Lott
When it comes to serial killers, the stereotype is true: They seem so quiet and polite, say the neighbors. Same goes for those of Robert Pickton, who's kind of the Canadian version of Ed Gein.

Drama
Phil Bacharach
AIDS is rarely mentioned in “Life, Above All.” It’s referred to obliquely — a “bug,” “the other thing” — but its grim presence is always felt. When a character finally does call it by name, late in the movie, the effect is startling.

Comedy
Rod Lott
What's worse than a pie in the face? A pie in the face, followed by a very sharp knife. So it is in Troma's "Klown Kamp Massacre," a supremely silly but occasionally inspired comedy from Troma.

Documentary
Rod Lott
Watching "Staircase" is like coasting down a steep San Francisco street on your bicycle and suddenly realizing you have no brakes: dangerous, discomforting and yet, strangely exhilarating.

Television series
Rod Lott
Season three of “Justified,” which kicked off last night, has some mighty big boots to fill. The 13 episodes of the second season prove that, and if you didn’t see them, grab the triple-disc DVD set pronto.

Action
Rod Lott
"At least if you die, you'll die with a sword in your hand."

Horror
Rod Lott
In the movies, nothing good ever comes of a group of college students leaving their confines for a weekend. Noth-ing.

Action
Rod Lott
In its excellent opening credits, "First Squad: The Moment of Truth" plays off the classic iconography of Nazi and Communist propaganda — fitting since the film takes place in the heat of World War II.

Horror
Rod Lott
As the unique titles have it, "from the strip cartoon" comes “Baba Yaga,” a minor slice of Italian Pop Art horror from 1973. Despite that date, it carries that unmistakable striking look of the psychedelic '60s.

Documentary
Rod Lott
As with all musical acts lucky enough to achieve worldwide success, Queen's grab of the golden ring was hardly a forgone conclusion, as this two-part, two-hour documentary shows.