This isn’t madness: This is the sequel to … “300”!

If you haven't yet seen any of the Oscar-winning films, you still have a chance. A number of them are playing this weekend at both the Magic Lantern and at the various mainstream theaters. And if you haven't yet seen "Gravity," then I suggest you see it in IMAX 3D — unless you're prone to motion sickness, that is.

As for new movies, look for these to open on Friday:

"300: Rise of an Empire": The sequel to Zack Snyder's 2006 study of Spartan indominatibility, continuing Greece's fight against the invading Persians, was directed by Noam Murro ("Smart People"). My guess is that, even with the passing of Gerard Butler's Leonidas, you'll still hear a few people screaming … "This is Sparta!"

"Mr. Peabody & Sherman": The characters from Jay Ward's classic television shows "Rocky and His Friends" and "The Bullwinkle Show" are now the stars of their own movie, thanks to director Rob Minkoff ("Stuart Little"). Let's hope the experience doesn't drive us to invent our own WABAC machine as a way of forgetting that Minkoff was ever born.