Family comedies seem increasingly rare these days, owing in part to the fact that so many of them are animated films, which are not as speedily produced as regular features.

Pleasantly for a sequel, “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” does a better job on its jokes and sly humor, not to mention its brilliantly colorful animation.

Several of the lively characters from the original secure more face time, adding significantly to the laugh quotient. Even a few new ones brought into the mix prove to be either unusual or intriguing. On the other hand, there’s some outright imitation of key elements of “The Lion King” that appears useful only for creating some needless dramatic tension.

You may recall that the quartet of New York zoo animals ended up marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. Alex (voiced by Ben Stiller), the show business lion, has a flair for Bob Fosse-inspired dance moves. The hypochondriac giraffe Melman (David Schwimmer) is certain of his imminent demise. Marty the zebra (Chris Rock) doesn’t know if he’s black with white stripes or vice versa, and this proves to be a problem when he meets up with his species. The lovable hippo Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) is looking for love in all the wrong places.

Meanwhile, the loopy King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen), aided by his fawning flunky Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer), is anxious to establish his kingdom without regard for the wishes of his potential subjects.

Later, the wacky king is involved with a misguided plan to mollify the water gods with a ritual sacrifice in a volcano. More fun is at hand with the penguins, under the leadership of Skipper (Tom McGrath), working feverishly to repair an old crashed cargo plane as the instrument for flight back to New York City.

Claiming ownership of the aircraft, King Julien imagines that he will become King of New York, just by the sheer force of his charismatic personality. But first, in order to get the aircraft functional, Skipper and his penguins require help from a large group of monkeys, who figure on organizing a union to secure a hefty benefit package. For Air Penguin, liftoff proves successful, but it turns out to be short-lived, and soon the aircraft lands on the African continent, in the vicinity of a wild animal preserve.

Alex and company feel they have returned to the motherland, though they are hardly prepared for a primitive existence. As a young cub, Alex was lost to poachers, eventually ending up at the zoo, and now he is reunited with his father Zuba (Bernie Mac, chief of the local pride, and mother (Sherri Shepherd). As the alpha male of the pride, Zuba’s authority is being challenged once again by the nefarious Makunga (Alec Baldwin), who sees an opening by insisting that Alex go through the rite of passage, one that the urbanized lion is certain to fail.

At first, Marty is all excited that he gets to run with hundreds of zebras who share his heritage. But then, he quickly tires of the novelty when realizing that all zebras look and sound exactly like him. On the other hand, Gloria is thrilled to splash around in the water with her species, especially when she meets the charming hustler Moto Moto (will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas) who eagerly woos her. Melman has had so much experience with medication back at the zoo that the locals make him the witch doctor. Fearing that his life is at an end, Melman struggles to make his deep feelings for Gloria known, even though it would an interspecies romance.

Full of jokes and slapstick humor, “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” is a pleasant surprise for a sequel. Let’s face it, there’s something funny about a lion making the dance moves of a Broadway professional. The hard-nosed penguins and the wild and crazy King Julien don’t disappoint as fun, amusing characters. It could be a very good thing if a “Madagascar 3” is just around the corner.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

There’s little need in this space to tell you about the release of “The Jason Bourne Collection.” After all, it’s all three films in one neat package. So let’s look at a truly oddball film, an intriguing rite of passage story that is weirdly erotic and dark.

“Mister Foe” stars Jamie Bell as a troubled young man whose knack for voyeurism paradoxically reveals his darkest fears and most peculiar desires.

Haunted by the sudden death of his mother, Bell’s Hallam Foe spends his days spying on his family, suspecting his beautiful stepmother of playing a hand in it. Running away to Edinburgh, he becomes a Peeping Tom, looking for love. No wonder that “Mister Foe” is rated R for strong sexual content and language.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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Clear Lake High School will present 'All in The Timing' Nov. 20, 21 and 22. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE – Clear Lake High School is set to present an evening of riotous entertainment later this month with a presentation of “All In The Timing” by David Ives.

The student thespians will bring to life four short (but complete) plays which focus on fun, nutty, improbable ... and smart situations. Catchy humor, fast-paced dialogue and simple sets place imagination and humor in starring roles.

What are the plays all about? Well, there is a love story between people who can't seem to do anything right (“Sure Thing”). There are three playwright monkeys creating who knows what (“Words, Words, Words”). There's a couple that can't communicate because he has made up a new language that she can't speak (“The Universal Language”). And there's a guy stuck in a twilight zone town where everyone says the opposite of what they mean – and they're not even running for office! (“The Philadelphia”).

So, when and where can you loosen the load of today's worries and just enjoy a great production? At the Marge Alakszay Performing Arts Center on the campus of Clear Lake High School in Lakeport.

There will be only three performances: Nov. 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. The cost at the door is only $5 for adults and $3 for students. You can't beat the value ... and supporting your local high school students isn't a bad idea, either.

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The ladies of Fayro, Texas will put a whole new spin on Christmas. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – Hold onto your hats, comedy fans! The funniest thing since "Greater Tuna" is now in rehearsal!

This production by Lake County Theatre Co. (LCTC) Is called " Christmas Belles" and features the "fine ladies" of Fayro, Texas, as they struggle to present their annual Christmas Pageant ... and with a new director! Can you imagine?

This pageant will include a surprise pregnancy, a prisoner on temporary release, a lost relative and a love-sick sheriff. Why, heck! Nearly everybody will be there!

There is no better way to jump start your Christmas holiday season than to laugh your way through "Christmas Belles" and a visit from Santa like nothing you have seen before!

Written by a genius group of writers (Jesse Jones, Nicholas Hope and James Wooten) the characters portrayed by the talented LCTC cast will demonstrate a well-known truth: Anything that can go wrong with a pageant, will ... and especially in Texas!

Now is the time to put "Christmas Belles" on you calendar: Nov. 28 and 29, and Dec. 5 and 6 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.

The Weaver Auditorium in the Lower Lake School House Museum in Lower Lake is the place. Tickets are only $14 for reserved and $12 for general seating; $2 less for seniors, students and LCTC members.

Reserved and general seating tickets will be available soon at Catfish Books, Lakeport (263-4454) and Highlands Senior Service Center, Clearlake (994-3051). General seating tickets will be available at Wild About Books, Clearlake (994-9453) and Shannon Ridge Tasting Room in Clearlake Oaks (998-9656).

Get ready to have fun! Joy to the world!

Jump start your Christmas holiday season with "Christmas Belles," a production of Lake County Theatre Co. Courtesy photo.

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Neft will perform on the following dates.

• Nov. 9: Weekly Sunday brunch at the Calistoga Inn, Creekside Patio Dining (or inside depending on weather), noon to 3 p.m. Reservations suggested: 942-4101.

• Nov. 11: Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, Main St., Kelseyville. Neft is donating music for the annual “Habitat for Humanity” Benefit Dinner and Auction at 6 p.m. For information and tickets call Habitat for Humanity Lake County, 994-1100.

• Nov. 16: Weekly Sunday brunch at the Calistoga Inn, Creekside Patio Dining (or inside depending on weather), noon to 3 p.m. Reservations suggested: 942-4101.

• Nov. 23: Weekly Sunday brunch at the Calistoga Inn, Creekside Patio Dining (or inside depending on weather), noon to 3 p.m. Reservations suggested: 942-4101.

Watch for special upcoming holiday concert dates with Neft, among them the annual Christmas Tree lighting event with special musical surprises at Hidden Valley Lake on Dec. 6; Christmas Open House at Tulip Hill Winery in Nice on Dec. 13 and 14; and a New Year's Eve performance with Bill Noteman and the Rockets at Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa in Kelseyville.

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Many of you have seen the excellent documentary, "The End of Suburbia." "Escape from Suburbia" is the second in the series by the same filmmakers, this one assuming that most of us are aware that we may soon be facing ever scarcer fossil fuels and higher prices for just about everything.

Our own neighbors in Mendocino County are featured toward the end of this film. They watched "End ...," found it real and challenging, and founded WELL – Willits Economic LocaLization. They believe that meeting their own local needs increasingly locally is the best answer to the looming threat of limited and expensive fossil fuels. They are researching just what they need to thrive: food, water, transportation, housing and heating. They are learning what and how they can realistically provide for themselves. Self-reliance and community-building go hand in hand.

Two guest speakers will appear along with the movie. Liam UiCearbhaill from WELL will speak on what his group of merry preparers is doing. WELL believes in helping its neighbors. Also appearing will be a resident of Lake County who agrees that we may well be facing fuel shortages in the near future. However, he strongly disagrees about the causes, so his take requires a very different response.

These respectful and informed people will mean great discussions and questions and answers from the audience. Of course there will be opportunities to connect with these people and to make something happen here in Lake County if anyone wants to.

Second Sunday Cinema exists to inform people about really important issues facing us today. We also hope to help create community here in Lake Co. Out of community, good things can happen.

As always, this film is free. As always, our venue is the Clearlake United Methodist Church, at 14521 Pearl Ave. in Clearlake (near Mullen). We open our doors at 5:30 for snacks and conversation. At 6 p.m. we'll welcome everyone and then start the film. This film will be followed by brief talks, question and answer, and discussion. We hope to see you there! More information is available at 279-2957.

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Like most Hollywood talent, Angelina Jolie has had her share of frivolous film work, but any notion that she is anything but a serious, dedicated actor should be easily dispelled by her riveting performance in “Changeling.”

Under the expert direction of Clint Eastwood, Jolie so fully owns the role of a spirited woman refusing to submit to the corrupt culture of Los Angeles 80 years ago that it is easy to feel her emotional pain, as well as to admire her resolve to fight evil. She manages the feat of being equally tough and vulnerable without so much as a hint of trite, overbearing sentimentality.

Based on a disturbing factual story long forgotten, “Changeling,” though obviously dramatized for the screen, is one of the most compelling works in the pantheon of films that unveil the sleaze and corruption of early twentieth century Los Angeles.

Though centered on the type of corrupt, amoral behavior found in “Chinatown” and “L.A. Confidential,” the emotional and provocative drama of “Changeling” digs into the murky world of mistreatment of women, particularly those who dared to challenge the establishment.

Jolie’s single mother Christine Collins lives in the tidy, working-class suburb of Lincoln Heights with her 9-year-old son Walter (Gattlin Griffiths). By day, she works as a supervisor at the local phone company.

On a sunny Saturday in March 1928, Christine is asked to fill in for a sick colleague, and when returning late in the afternoon discovers Walter is missing. An exhaustive and fruitless search ensues, but Walter has disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department seems hardly moved to fully investigate, but the police are only too eager to bask in a publicity coup of reuniting mother and child five months later. Police Captain J.J. Jones (Jeffrey Donovan) joins Christine at the train station to meet the missing boy who had been found in Illinois.

The reunion at Union Station turns out not to be what was expected. Though having a passing resemblance to Walter, the boy is not Christine’s son, a fact that she impresses upon Captain Jones and LAPD Police Chief Davis (Colm Feore). Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters, photographers and her own conflicted emotions, Christine is persuaded by the devious Captain Jones to take the boy home, if only on a trial basis. In her heart and mind, she knows the boy is not Walter, particularly since he’s about 3 inches shorter.

Pestering the authorities to keep searching, Christine runs into downright hostility from the corrupt LAPD. The increasingly abusive Captain Jones goes so far as to slander her as a delusional and unfit mother. Facing an onslaught of mistreatment at the hands of corrupt cops, Christine finds an ally in Rev. Gustav Briegleb (John Malkovich), a community activist who rails against the LAPD from his pulpit and radio show. One of the shocking elements of this story is that Christine, continuing to get under the skin of Captain Jones, finds herself committed forcibly to the county psychopathic ward as a patient.

Inside the psychiatric ward, it turns out that other women have been committed without a warrant or any legal due process. Fortunately, the good reverend manages to get her released from custody and enlists the help of a prominent attorney to go after the corrupt cops in dramatic City Hall hearings.

Meanwhile, on an almost parallel track, one honest cop, Detective Ybarra (Michael Kelly), is hot on the trail of a serial killer of young boys, which ostensibly has a connection with Walter’s disappearance. Eventually, the bodies of many kids are discovered on an isolated chicken ranch in Riverside County.

With the arrest of psychotic child killer Gordon Northcott (Jason Butler Harner, playing the part to a creepy extreme), there’s the very odd intersection of Christine’s desire to learn the truth bumping up against the sick mind of a sociopath playing a twisted cat-and-mouse game. Right up to the time of his execution by hanging, Northcott tormented Christine by not confirming his involvement in Walter’s vanishing act.

Compelling and mesmerizing, “Changeling” is a serious bit of entertainment that revels in the power of a good story and even better performances. Some might say Angelina Jolie is too glamorous for the part of an ordinary working woman, but she delivers real conviction as the distraught mother willing to fight back. It’s impossible not to be moved by her plight. Once again, Clint Eastwood proves that he knows what he’s doing behind the camera, delivering a spellbinding experience.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

If the spirit of Halloween lasts beyond Election Day, then the followup to the original cult classic horror film should be welcomed on its DVD release.

“Return to Sleepaway Camp” resurrects a gruesome new installment picking up two decades later at rustic Camp Manabe, where it is summer as usual until a series of freak accidents begin to mysteriously plague the campers and staff. As corpses begin piling up, memories of a grisly bloodbath at nearby Camp Arawak a few decades earlier flash through everyone’s mind.

Why do these horror films so often occur at camp? I won’t even pitch a tent in the woods. Yet, teens flock to this kind of movie, regardless of its quality, which appears to be seriously lacking in “Return to Sleepaway Camp.”

As a bit of trivia, it should be noted that this is Isaac Hayes last feature film.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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