#cuteometer: 1

[eddiebinge]

@eddiebinge reviews: The Comic Strip Presents... (1988) TV

Eddie plays: Youth in Chinese Restaurant (uncredited) in S04E05 “Didn’t You Kill My Brother?” (IMDb link)

In this episode of cult eighties comedy show The Comic Strip Presents... Eddie has a tiny blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo as a youth in a Chinese take away. He has no lines, isn’t credited, and does nothing but stand beside his mate while he orders food. That’s it.

PS: IMDb also credits Eddie as appearing in the Comic Strip Presents... episode “The Yob” as yet another uncredited youth in a take away. We’ve watched it and we can’t find him. We suspect it’s another of IMDb’s mistakes but if anyone spots him, please tell us!

Favourite moment:

This hilarious expression

Cuteometer rating: [1]

Look how YOUNG and SMALL and ADORABLE he is!?!

Bingo score: [1/9]

☑ One scene cameo

Another for the “One scene cameo” tag. It’s getting quite big now!

Our rating:  ★ 

Where to watch: Amazon (DVD)

[eddiebinge]

@eddiebinge reviews: The Illusionist (2006)

Eddie plays: Josef Fischer (IMDb link)

The Illusionist is a spectacular film that is as much a story as it is a magic trick. Edward Norton gives a fantastic performance as protagonist Eisenheim, a magician of questionable background making a name for himself in 1880s Vienna. As you’d hope of a period film, the costumes are stunning, particularly those worn by magical connoisseur and Crown Prince of Vienna, Leopold (Rufus Sewell.) The story is equally captivating, weaving trials of class, the forbidden love of childhood sweethearts and the egotism of monarchy with magical feats that still surprise despite knowledge of modern camera trickery. The cinematography is beautiful and the film’s sepia, vignette-edged glow draws you into its world from its opening titles.

Eddie plays Josef Fischer, Eisenheim’s manager. A little obsessed with profit and talking about money in almost all his scenes, you’d imagine Fischer to be a strict, greedy man. In fact, he’s sweet, patient and incredibly proud of Eisenheim’s accomplishments. His role in the story isn’t essential, but his trust of Eisenheim —even after being fired by him— is. Eisenheim, as his profession suggests, tricks most of the film’s characters (and even the audience!) but not Fischer, who is perhaps his only true friend in the narrative beside his love interest.

If you like magic, period films or any of The Illusionist’s fantastic cast, we’d recommend this film. 

Favourite moment:

This line of Fischer’s after Vienna’s Duchess von Teschen comes on stage during one of Eisenheim’s performances:

Cuteometer rating: [1]

Fischer is a smiling, strudel-scoffing sweetie and you’d have to be made of stone not to find his curly moustache and melodic accent adorable. When Eddie plays such an unproblematic character, it has to be a one on the scale!

Bingo score: [0/9]

Nothing! We’re shocked.

Our rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Where to watch: Amazon (DVD)