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Insurance man Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) from Brown Valley Wisconsin has a paradigm shift when he’s sent to Cedar Rapids to represent his company at an annual insurance convention. You see, Tim is practically a man-child, he’s never really been out of Brown Valley, never flown on a plane, never really gotten loose. Now at the convention Tim has specific instructions on how to win the coveted Two Diamonds award for his company. But, when a group of unlikely convention regulars (John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) take him under their wings, hopes of the award start to slip away, or do they? And what’s the bigger lesson for Tim? Highly improvised comedy that consistently hits the mark time and time again makes for a smart and entertaining watch; a feel that also lends to characters with genuine heart and something we can all identify with. Director Miguel Arteta has carefully crafted a film based on authentically flawed individuals that ultimately gives us the bitter and the sweet, a handful of emotions that make us human. One of the funniest films I’ve seen in a long time and worth your time. Cedar Rapids is rated R.

I recently got the chance to sit down with Director Miguel Arteta to discuss the making of this film. Among the many things we discussed we talked a great deal about improv acting and directing, a real treat. Here’s a clip of that interview:Miguel Arteta Interview Segment 1

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Walking amongst us earthlings are a select few warriors from a planet far far away. Warriors that posses amazing super powers and strength who will ultimately be responsible for saving earth from a different breed of evil aliens. John (Alex Pettyfer) is one such warrior who is just learning to harness his powers; meanwhile, the evil Morgadorians are hot on his trail, their mission is to destroy John and all of his kind. Now it’s up to John and his friends to defend themselves and progress towards saving earth. Set up like every other formulaic teen action/super hero/adventure film series, I Am Number Four is so textbook in its plot it’s mind numbing. Within about the first 15 minutes you know everything you need to know and then you’re left to watch the whole thing play out for another hour and forty minutes– which feels like three hours. Clearly done on a lesser budget, the production quality feels greater than the syfy channel but less than Hollywood, overall so so. Happy Birthday to Executive Producer Michael Bay who’s celebrating a birthday this week, blow out the candles and make a wish, you’re gonna need it on this one. I Am Number Four is Rated PG-13.

Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) and his wife Elizabeth (January Jones) are in Berlin for a controversial bio-engineering convention when a tragic accident puts Martin in the hospital with a head injury. Released from the hospital Harris discovers he has mysteriously been replaced with an imposter (Aidan Quinn) who also claims to be Dr. Harris. Confused and frustrated Dr. Harris must go through unconventional means to discover why he’s being replaced and what the bigger picture really is. A strong cast keeps this spy/espionage/thriller alive. But, I’ll be quick to point out, twist and all, there’s not a lot new in this one; so, zero points for originality. Still, from an entertainment stand point of view, the film does what it sets out to do. Despite its short comings and implausibilities, I found myself invested until the end. Perhaps a matinee or a rental. Unknown is rated PG-13.