Seen and reviewed (Jn. 8)

New films in theaters this week:

– “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call — New Orleans” (rated R), a “re-imagining” of the 1992 film. Nicolas Cage stars.
– “Daybreakers” (rated R), a long-delayed vampire thriller starring Ethan Hawke.
– “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (rated PG-13), Terry Gilliam’s latest, a dark fantasy featuring Heath Ledger’s final performance.
– “Leap Year” (rated PG), a romantic comedy set in Ireland, starring Amy Adams.
– “Youth in Revolt” (rated R), a sex comedy starring Michael Cera as a too-nice teenager.

Poster art courtesy Universal Pictures

“Daybreakers” was not pre-screened for local critics, but is getting mixed notices. As for the idiotic “Leap Year,” it’s a formulaic, predictable comedy that wastes Adams’ considerable talents. Even she can’t do anything with this material.

Both “Doctor Parnassus” and “Bad Lieutenant” are acquired tastes. Ledger is terrific in the former, which is Gilliam’s most consistent, complete movie in quite some time. As for Cage, the movie becomes increasingly more watchable as his cop characters gets more crazed and manic.

Poster art courtesy Dimension Films

The week’s best film, arguably, is “Youth in Revolt.” It’s surprisingly funny and smart. And Cera finally gets to play a different character — his bad-boy persona in this movie is amusing.

Which, if any, of these movies fit into your weekend viewing plans?