Film
Playing against type
Those who have admired Denzel Washington in heroic roles, beware: This one is different. But his performance is incendiary.

Witty twists on a familiar route
Joy Ride follows the map of the rip 'em up, scare 'em silly slasher flick, but it tanks up for the journey with imaginative directing and likable characters.

Contriving to find love
Would-be lovers just miss each other -- over and over again -- in Serendipity. It's a timeworn device, but fine acting and writing make it moving.

Family Movie Guide
The Family Movie Guide should be used along with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for selecting movies suitable for children.

Indie Flix
A dazzling dance of life

Movies: Also playing
"Big Move' not necessarily a great move

Movies: Top Five and upcoming releases
Top Five

Video
Let sleeping mummies lie
New releases

Video / DVD upcoming releases and rankings
Oct. 9: Bridget Jones's Diary, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase, Children of the Corn: Revelation, Bruiser, 2103 The Deadly Wake

Pop
Flamenco fusion
Acoustic guitarist Ottmar Liebert isn't mired in tradition. With his mix of musical styles, he pays homage to the American melting pot.

Team Pop Trivia
This week's winner: Mike Edgerley of Tampa knew that legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane performed a rendition of My Favorite Things from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.

Pop: Hot Ticket
Blues fest in the park

Get Away
Expo isn't for the birds alone
Butterflies and bats are also fun to learn about. Try tours, workshops and lectures, or examine equipment for the outdoors: This expo is geared to lovers of nature.

Get Away: Down the road
Events to watch for; details in future editions of Weekend.

Get Away: Hot Ticket
Classics on ice

Art
Youth, the unifying factor
The teen years, a transition we all share, are used by one artist to depict how human continuity and cultural variety are interwoven.

Art: Best bets
Art critic Mary Ann Marger's recommendations for this weekend. Please refer to the Art Calendar for details.

Art: Hot Ticket
Tools of his trade

Dine
Shopping for good food
At the new International Plaza mall, California Pizza Kitchen will win hearts and taste buds. Two other restaurants get honorable mentions.

Side dish
Take a break

Nite Out
Nite Out: Hot Ticket
Return of the funny native

Stage
Conductor at a crossroads
Theo Alcantara, a possible successor to Jahja Ling, says he thinks a music director should live in an orchestra's community.

Nostalgia for New York
The ever-popular musical Guys and Dolls, first staged 51 years ago, is a look at gamblers and do-gooders who lived in a New York City of long ago.

Stage: Hot Ticket
Challenge at the keyboard

Stage: Down the road
Marx -- Frank Ferrante stars in An Evening with Groucho Oct. 13 at the Palladium. $10-$15.