If you haven’t immersed yourself in the “Madagascar” experience, you may be missing one of the most entertaining animated treats of the past decade.

And the good news here is that the new sequel is on par with the 2005 original.

Be forewarned – if you are planning to bring “the littles” to this film, know that the movie moves incredibly quickly, contains hilarious adult-aimed highbrow humor that will go over the heads of most children, and has some moments of action and violence that may be inappropriate for younger audiences. The good news – very few fart jokes or other gratuitous potty humor, and the music and dance track will get you up out of your seat. Plus, the animation is wonderful to behold on the big screen.

Like the original, “Madagascar 2” revolves around the adventures of four animal friends who grew up performing for big crowds as captives in a New York City zoo. This time, they leave their lemur-infested island home of Madagascar via airplane, and end up crashing down in – yep, you guessed it – Africa. From there, they find themselves involved in a whole crazy series of events that actually button up themselves quite neatly by the end of the movie.

Alex (affably voiced by Ben Stiller) is a lion who loves to shake his groove thing for the enjoyment of the audience. Here, he ends up being reunited with his father and mother, but must prove himself to the rest of the pride or suffer banishment.

Jada Pinkett Smith’s hilarious hippo hip-shaking hipster Gloria discovers a whole group (gaggle? flock? posse?) of African hippos, including a muscle-bound monster male named Moto Moto (voiced by Will.I.Am) who takes a liking to her. Their courtship is borderline inappropriate for the littles, who will find themselves lost in the joke, but quite comical for the older crowd.

As it turns out, Gloria’s close friend Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer as a convincing New York City neurotic) has feelings for her, and how the two of them work out this wrinkle in their relationship over the course of the film I leave for you to discover.

Chris Rock’s Marty the Zebra has the least interesting time of it, running with a herd of his own and providing occasional comic foil relief to Alex’s “roaring” dilemma.

And then, of course, there are all the wonderful supporting characters in this film. Yes, the four commando penguins are back – Kowalski, Skipper, Private and the top dog – and of course, if they are not busy hijacking jeepfuls of savannah tourists for parts to rebuild their downed aircraft, they are busy making wisecracks or sorting through the finer points of labor contracts with their simian work force.

And yes, the lemurs return, too (and they are ring tailed lemurs, not sifakas lemurs, my six-year-old neighbor Carl Kellogg, a Valley expert on this pro-simian creature, would have you know). Sacha Baron Cohen of “Borat” fame voices King Julien with his usual trans-gendered goofiness, ably supported by Maurice, his trusty sidekick (Cedric the Entertainer.)

And the surprise character? An older retired female tourist named Nana (voiced by Elisa Gabrielli), who sports a handbag, spectacles, and an aggressive attitude (she is, we learn, a Yonkers native and learned martial arts as a Brownee) to match. Apparently, she and Alex the lion have had run-ins before, but watching her beat the stuffing out of Alex in one early scene is a bit over-the-top. As she and her other Big Apple tourist neighbors “go native,” younger viewers may be a bit dismayed, though older audience members will appreciate (perhaps) the references to “Lord of the Flies” and other dystopian novels we were force-fed in junior high school.

Is Madagascar 2 fun? You bet – but you might have to do some explaining to the kids afterwards.

There are moments in a moviegoer’s experience when one feels a simultaneous sense of deep satisfaction and bewildered puzzlement.

For me, this was the case with the new James Bond film “Quantum of Solace,” which made $70 billion opening week-end, shattering all Bond film openings to date and officially ushering in the holiday movie season.

Did I like this film? Well, no…and yes. “Quantum of Solace” offered the best and the worst of Bond, all in one two hour package.

Here are the film’s five worst (Boo!) and five best (Yay!) aspects.

1. Boo – The Title: Presumably, the title of any film ought to inform a film’s plot, direction, theme, or characters in some concrete or tangible way. Not in this case. “Quantum,” we learn in one early throwaway scene, refers to a mysterious cabal of baddies who have somehow infiltrated British intelligence. As it turns out, they’ve been so successful that viewers never ever hear from them again. They’re that good.

2. Boo – The Lack of Lust: There isn’t any to speak of here. What’s a James Bond film without a little flirtation? We get a bare shoulder in one scene and a brief kiss in a car in another. That’s it?

3. Boo – Zero Gadgetry: C’mon now. Has Q exhausted all of his inventive options in the M.I. laboratory? How ‘bout a pneumatic zip line, or a solar-powered wallet that shoots darts? Anything!

4. Boo – Stereotypical Bad Guy: I have an idea! Let’s find an actor who can play a lascivious, mustachioed, dark-skinned South American dictator-in-training, and give him a central role in the film! Gosh, that’s never been done before. Not.

5. Boo – no femme fatale: How can you have a Bond film without a femme fatale? Or maybe those Bond gals are so twentieth century? Jeezum Crow.

That said, there is much to like about “Quantum.” Here are just five elements.

1. Yay – “Art Mirrors Life” plot: OK, there is the barest whisper of a narrative arc here, but what we get revolves around Peak Oil, the world’s supply of fresh water, and an insidious corporate wheeler dealer who topples and re-installs Third World governments at will, with the tacit backing and blessing of U.S. intelligence. Gawsh, that never happens in real life, does it? Naw.

2. Yay – Chase scenes: Director Mark Forster knows how to film them, from the opening sequence involving an Aston Martin (phew) along Italy’s stunning coastline, to a truly remarkable rooftop sequence that is choreographed as if the actors were two ballet dancers brawling. Stunning.

3. Yay – Creative/Metaphorical Offing: Strawberry Fields, a minor M.I. character, is dispatched by the bad guys in a way that is truly poetic, given current global Peak Oil dilemmas. I’ll stop here, so as not to ruin the moment.

4. Yay – Sexy Women: Dame Judy Dench is able to project an aura that is once alluring and maternal in her relationship with James. She doesn’t have much to work with here script-wise, but she makes the most of it. And relative newcomer Olga Kurylenko turns out to be a pleasant surprise – smart, sexy, tenacious and a good match for Mr. Bond as Camille the Bolivian mercenary. Bravo.

5. Yay – Daniel Craig: A buffed-up Craig plays Bond straight up. In the wake of his the assassination of his love interest Vespa (see 2006’s “Casino Royale”), Craig’s Bond is a remorseless killing machine, a combination of Timex Watch (he takes a licking and keeps on ticking) and tiger shark. Craig is mesmerizing on screen, always in motion, quick with the one-liners, and all business. In a post 9/11 world of uncertainty, Craig’s Bond fits the bill.

All of this is to say that, if you are a Bond fan and willing to forgive some narrative indiscretions here, “Quantum of Solace” is a more-than-adequate thrill ride to inaugurate the 2008 holiday season.

Look for it at Mad River Valley’s Big Picture movie theater soon.

It’s one of those week-ends when the acoustic stars align here in central Vermont. The phrase “in the round” refers to those performances when two or more artists share the stage for a night of song, literally playing off one another through tune smithing, joke-telling and witty repartee.

Red House Comes to Randolph

If you appreciate “in the round” performances, then don’t miss three of acoustic music’s top performers - Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka, and Cliff Eberhardt – at the Chandler Music Hall (71-73 Main St in Randolph) on Friday, November 14th at 7:30 pm. All three are long-time artists for the world renowned acoustic/roots label Red House Records and this unique opportunity to see three good friends perform some of the best acoustic music in the world is one not to be missed

Beautiful World is Eliza Gilkyson’s “masterpiece” (All Music Guide) that is a powerful commentary on corruption, war, politics, a devastated environment and a crumbling economy. The record was one of the top albums on folk and Americana radio this summer and has garnered praise from all around the world. Produced by long-time musical partner Mark Hallman, Gilkyson seamlessly crosses between catchy pop/folk to rock, and a little jazz. The masterfully penned “Great Correction” and “Party’s Over” seem to resonate with an eerie relevance, providing a soundtrack to the chaos we are seeing in today’s economic climate. Despite Beautiful World’s dramatic themes, Gilyson’s presents each song with a sense of hope for the future and a reason to fight for what makes the world beautiful.

Eberhardt’s critically acclaimed 2007 release, The High Above and the Down Below, is his first effort in 5 years and showcases some of his strongest work to date. Drawing from his pop and jazz influences, Cliff created a gritty, soulful album that earned a spot on USA Today’s Top 5 list for 2007.

Rounding out the trio is one my favorite performers - John Gorka - who has been on Red House for almost his entire career and has become one of the most respected songwriters in the music industry. His 2006, Writing in the Margins was a favorite among fans and critics with its upbeat folk, country and soul vibe. The always-understated but very funny Gorka has been busy writing new songs, so don’t be surprised to hear some fresh material as well as the old classics like the hilarious “I’m From New Jersey” and the beautifully haunting “Houses In The Fields.”

For tickets and more information, call 802-728-9878, or visit www.chandler-arts.org.

Valley Players Saturday Night: Up and Comers Extraordinaire!

If you are feeling in the mood to hear some new talent, then don’t miss Bruce Jones’ double-shot –Meg Hutchinson and Mark Erelli - on Saturday night at Waitsfield’s Valley Players Theater, beginning at 8:00.

Meg Hutchinson (also now on the Red House label) has one of the most arresting voices I’ve heard in some time – think Anais Mitchell crossed with Natalie Merchant – and can write songs to match – beautiful, soulful, and heart-stopping. I’ve never seen her live – but if she is half as good in person as she is on CD, listeners are in for a real treat.

And Mark Erelli channels Ellis Paul-like intensity and high quality song-writing with a captivating stage presence. His new CD “Delivered” is one of the most moody and atmospheric compilations I’ve heard in some time – I’ve been spinning it for a few weeks now, and the songs reach out of the CD player to grab you by the emotions.

I commend Bruce Jones for taking a chance on bringing in new performers – let’s give them an enthusiastic Valley welcome and turn out for their show!

Order $15 advance tickets by phone – 496-8910 – or buy them at the door for $17.

What a pleasure for us all – to live in a community with so much good music traveling through. Hope to see you at the shows!