Cedar Rapids starring Ed Helms comes out on February 11 and I’m kind of on the fence about it. As an Iowan, I’m particularly sensitive to media that insists on portraying us as complete rubes and I kind of feel like that’s what the trailer for this movie is trading in.

I also get the vibe that this movie is trying to ride on the coattails of The Hangover a little bit. In this regard, having Ed Helms as your lead doesn’t help.

But here’s the thing… I really like Ed Helms. I think he’s very accessible and emotionally honest as a comedian and that makes him likable. Also, any movie that features John C. Reilly acting thoroughly unhinged gets a pass in my book. I’ve really enjoyed Reilly’s transition from a dramatic to a comedic actor in the last few years. He’s been very deft about it and I can’t think of very many actors who have made the transition as seamlessly as he has.

That’s why this link to Deanzie’s Guide To Business Conventions is kind of a hoot. In the movie, Reilly plays a cock-sure salesman named Dean Ziegler and this web site is written in his voice. I think what makes it funny to me is I can totally envision Reilly delivering those lines.

Embedded in the site are clips from the movie. You might enjoy checking them out. I think it’s warmed me up to the idea of seeing Cedar Rapids a little more. Plus, positive early reviews from the Sundance Film Festival have helped. I’ll be keeping my eye out for it in the next couple of weeks.

Is anyone else anticipating Cedar Rapids?