Cedar Rapids

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A severely sheltered insurance salesman (Ed Helms) from a very small town in Wisconsin goes to the annual insurance convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and grows a pair of balls.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root, Kurtwood Smith, Alia Shawkat, Sigourney Weaver, Mike O'Malley, Rob Corddry, Thomas Lennon

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This film, about the happenings at a convention, is somehow unconventional. This isn't completely surprising, since it's produced by Ad Hominem, i.e. Alexander Payne, the director who brought us Citizen Ruth, Election, and Sideways. So keep that in mind, if you want to fully appreciate the quirky brand of broad humor this is going for.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There are plenty of good jokes. Though I haven't heard the word "awesome" used so much for a cheap laugh since Chris Farley died.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It's kind of a non-stop party, and nobody cries at parties. Especially not when they're hopped up on drugs, alcohol and hookers, like the fine folks in this movie.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most Amazing Cougar of the Year Award goes to Sigourney Weaver's character who is a lover, a mother, a grade school teacher, and mentor, all rolled into one very secure package.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: John C. Reilly resurrects himself from a slew of depressing roles, to finally bring us something fun again. Ed Helms continues to clearly define his niche for us. And Anne Heche is so funny that I thought she was some quirky new comedienne, who I was about to let you all into the know about, until the end credits came up, at which point I realized that there must be two actresses named Anne Heche.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: It looks like a little, low budget indy comedy by a first time director. Miguel Arteta, of course, has been directing little, low budget indy comedies since the 90s. Normally I would knock the lack of improvement over a director's career, but in this case, I think the glossy-less-ness actually makes the jokes seem funnier.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's directionless, meandering, and even predictable, yet it manages to stay fun and keep you engaged. Kind of like Superbad and The Hangover.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Cedar Rapids Trailer

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Race to Witch Mountain

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A skeptical cab driver (Dwayne Johnson) picks up a pair of child aliens (AnnaSophia Robb & Alexander Ludwig), and they all run from the government, an alien monster, and some mafia thugs, as they attempt to save their planet and ours from imminent destruction.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Everett Scott, Chris Marquette, Billy Brown, Garry Marshall, and from the original, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If I were Simon Cowell, I might say, "You didn't make it your own." If I were Randy Jackson, I would add a "Dawg" to that. And if I were Paula Abdul I would say, "I like cake." But what they all mean is, it's all there, except for the charm.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Only once, thanks to the well written dialogue of a non-speaking dog named, Junkyard.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I cried when I found out that there were no witches on the mountain, or anywhere else in the film. Maybe they meant to spell it "Which" mountain. That would've made more sense, in the context of a film that asks the question, "Hey, which mountain is our space craft hidden on?"

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Well, it is the Best Movie I've seen this year for boys 7 to 11 years old. And since it's made by Disney, I can't imagine it'll get a Nickelodeon award... unless the lesson of the day at Nickelodeon is "share-nice."

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The kids' speech patterns are purposely stilted, for the purpose of proving to the audience that they're aliens. So when you cast The Rock next to that, who delivers every line with his signature stiffness, it's sometimes hard to decipher who is supposed to be human. But when it comes to the physicality of being an action hero, Dwayne Johnson is the most believable one they've got. With his gargantuan biceps, you actually believe he could knock an alien-created, robot-soldier off his feet with a single punch.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The directing captures all the action appropriately, I only wish some of it didn't contain the types of hokey effects you would find on a ride at Disneyland. But it is a recession, so maybe Disney is cutting back by creating the ride first, and then shooting the movie on it.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It is choreographed like an old standard: And 1) and present the skeptic, and 2) and introduce him to aliens, and 3) have them running from everyone until he believes they exist, and kick-ball-change, chassé, and spin!

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/race-to-witch-mountain/33071/trailers

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