The Illusionist ****

The Illusionist, set in Vienna at the turn of the century, is a story of forbidden love. As teenagers, Eisenheim and Sophie, were prohibited from contact because he is merely the son of a cabinet maker, whereas Sophie, lived in a castle and would be a duchess. Fifteen years pass and they met again. This time, Sophie is about to marry Crown Prince Leopold. The Police chief is enthralled with the tricks, trying to determine how the illusions are performed, but Leopold, who is frustrated that he cannot determine how they are done demands that the police chief puts the illusionist out of business. Meanwhile, Eisenheim tries desperately to win Sophie's heart. Very entertaining!

This Is England **3/4

THIS IS ENGLAND is set in 1983 Britain, during Margaret Thatcher conservative regime and the controversial Falklands War. Twelve-year-old Shaun is a lonely tough little kid who's mother seems to mostly ignore. Shaun's father has been killed in the Falklands War, so he isn't getting much attention or guidance. He is "adopted" by a group of aimless skinheads. Before long, an skinhead named Combo shows up, fresh out of jail, with an aim to lead the gang on a self charted goal to get rid of the immigrants who are stealing local jobs. Things take a turn to violence and Shaun has a decision to make.

Although the acting is quite good, if not riviting at times, there was something lacking. I was left feeling that there was a missed opportunity there.

Rushmore ***

Max Fischer is a 15-year-old preppie who is involved in every esoteric extracurricular activity imaginable, except for actual school. i.e. president of the Rushmore Beekeepers Club, among many others. He is enraptured by a speech given by local steel mogul Herman Blume (Bill Murray), a self-made millionaire who has two moron sons attending Rushmore. Max compliments Herman on his speech and the two soon become fast friends. As love would have it, Max falls head over heels for the Ms. Cross, a third grade teacher at the prestigious Rushmore Academy; a woman about 8 or 10 years his senior. As love would have it, so does Herman. The movie is impossible to explain (in a paragraph). Suffice it to say that it's quirky and amusing.

Sweet Land ***1/2

Inge grew up in Norway but speaks only German, arrives in Minnesota with a couple of bags and a Victrola but without her papers. She's meant to be a mail order bride, but with her papers, it proves to be difficult. Her intended, Olaf, is the strong silent type, and silent is an understatement. The community considers her to be German, which only makes matters worse. As a consequence, Inge and Olaf coexist in an awkward limbo, in which she sleeps in the house and Olaf sleeps in the barn. Yet, there is romance in their future.

The movie is a wonderful period piece that will cause everyone to consider, as least for a moment, the hardships their forefathers (and mothers) endured in making the U.S. their home.