Reel Critics:

Director Miguel Arteta knows about semi-dark comedy with a cutting edge. He directed episodes of HBO’s offbeat series “Six Feet Under.” He also took charge of the sharp Jennifer Aniston effort “The Good Girl.” With “Youth in Revolt,” based on the book by C.D. Payne, he takes on the familiar subject of a virgin teen (played by Michael Cera) who is desperately trying to come of age with his babe of choice.

Cera had some good training for this role in novel films about teenage angst like “Juno” and “Superbad.” He also plays his own bad-boy alter ego named Francois Dillinger (no kidding).

Francois shows up from time to time smoking cigarettes to whisper nasty thoughts into the good boy’s ears. Cera joins the director to bring a cool hand and surprising insight to a role that would be slapstick teenage nonsense in the hands of others.

Pretty newcomer Portia Doubleday plays the object of his desire with the required sultry overtones.

Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard and Ray Liotta have cameos that lend some gravitas to the peculiar events unfolding on screen.

This is an R-rated but genteel take on the common sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll plot seen in many other films.

But in the end, it clearly exceeds expectations and offers some amusing looks at a period of life we all remember with a smile.

A love story and fantastical journey

Who knew that Queen Victoria, grand dame of all that is proper about Britain, was a hottie in her day? This concept, combined with Emily Blunt’s lovely performance, is what makes “Young Victoria” so absorbing.

As successor to the throne, Victoria led the most sheltered of lives imaginable. The 18-year-old, politically naive queen had to quickly learn how to assert herself and maneuver among men vying for her confidence and affections, including cousin Albert (Rupert Friend).

Blunt gives a radiant portrait of a girl who becomes a queen who becomes a woman.

Although history has been tweaked here, “Young Victoria” is a classic love story.

Terry Gilliam is unsurpassed in bringing fantastical images to the big screen, their logic notwithstanding.

The same is true of his new film, “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” which will sadly be remembered as Heath Ledger’s last.

In a mix of old and new worlds, a shabbily elegant traveling sideshow run by Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) promises jaded Londoners an amazing glimpse into their minds through a magic mirror. Parnassus has made a deal with the devil (an impish Tom Waits) for eternal life but at a heavy price.

Enter Tony (Ledger), who tries to help the doctor drum up new business.

Ledger’s role has been cleverly reworked so that each time he goes through the mirror, a different facet of his personality emerges in the form of Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell.

“Imaginarium” is a trip through the looking glass, darkly, and a wistful tribute to a fallen star.

JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office. SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a financial services company.