You need to see 'In a World...' ASAP

Every year there is a dynamite, original indie comedy that inexplicably doesn't get the distribution it deserves and I spend the year following its release trying to spread the positive word a mouth in the hopes that it'll be rediscovered on DVD.

In 2012, I sang the praises of the inventive romantic comedy Safety Not Guaranteed.

Last year, the gem that won me over was Lake Bell's brilliant and woefully underrated film In a World...

Set in the previously unexplored world of voiceover artists, the movie has a distinct comedic voice thanks to writer-director-star Bell.

The film boasts a fantastic supporting cast of comedy heavy hitters including Rob Corddry, Nick Offerman, Tig Notero, Demetri Martin and Ken Marino -- just to name a few. It also has some well timed, effective celeb cameos that I won't dare spoil.

And it has real heart. It has something to say about entrenched Hollywood sexism, the tensions between fathers and daughters, marriage, dating and it's also pretty damn funny. If you've ever heard a young woman talking in the "baby voice" and cringed -- this is the movie for you.

Lake Bell

For those of you who haven't seen her work on Children's Hospital, you may not know Lake Bell beyond being a gorgeous magazine covergirl, but she is a real comic talent and has the potential to be a major movie star with the right vehicle.

Even if she never makes the A-list, if she keeps cranking out her own films and if they remain at this caliber I will be one happy, repeat-paying customer.

The past year was largely a bummer for comedy. Derivative sequels ruled the day and the so-called "original" films were anything but (save for the surprisingly subversive This Is the End). So, for me, In a World... -- with its realistic characters, pacing and inventive story -- was a breath of fresh air.

Do yourself a favor and add it to your Netflix and give it a watch when you need your day brightened.

I did today and it did just the trick.