I think it was a ham-fisted attempt by the director to make sure you got the significance and number of his “souvenirs.”
For some reason, I thought I remembered that in the story he wrote “NUTS!” on the request to surrender.
IIRC, his phone that he used for the bomb trick at the toy factory quacked. Using the quacking duck to distract the toy soldiers mirrored the earlier scene.
I thought the show was okay. Battleground did go on for too long, but was overall okay. Crouch End was the bigger disappointment. They went over the top on the atmosphere towards the end and it spoiled the whole thing. The cat looked lousy as did the tentacled horror. There were some good parts. I liked the washed out color in the nasty place and the bright colors of the real world. No problems with Claire Forlani either. The husband was terrible.
He did. I know because, on hearing about this broadcase, I re-read the story just a few days ago. But I was wondering at the time if they would update that. “Nuts!” used in that sense is kind of outdated.
It never occured to me that people wouldn’t get that reference, but I guess you’re right. (Sadly enough.)
Isn’t it in reference to Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe? If so I got it right away.
Yes.
Why does it seem like I’ve seen that “Battleground” filmed before? I know I read it about 20 years ago, but was that in a Creepshow movie or something? Anyway, that was a little fun to watch, but there’s not much to it. When it was over i kind of thought, “I could have been reading for that hour”.
Anyway – from the perspective of someone completely unaware of the story “Crouch End”: as a piece of drama, that was dreadful.
It wasn’t the casting. It wasn’t the shitty special effects.
All that that was to me was this: two people go to a weird place.
That’s it. There was no narrative. No drama. Just two people go somewhere and weird shit happens. If the whole premise is that weird shit happens, the weird shit should look better than these two-bit effects.
I could not have been more bored with it.
Nothing is more boring than watching special effects with no story. Nothing. This fails the old “Gene Siskel” test: Yes, I would rather have watched these actors having lunch together than watched Crouch End.
I hope this is all better next week.
Well, you’re right. It’s sad that there are so many people who wouldn’t get the historical reference, but there ya go. That’s TV for you, mostly feeling like they have to pander to the lowest common denominator. I think they should have left “NUTS” in, and let the action provide a frame of context for those who didn’t understand. But that’s just me.
Hey! I didn’t get the reference (until I looked it up thanks to this thread), and I object to being characterized as the lowest common denominator! That said, I think it would have been better if they let it stand, and allowed the people who got it to have a chuckle. Though I understand if they thought people wouldn’t understand that “Nuts!” was meant as “screw you.” “Nuts” is much more associated with “crazy” these days, which certainly would dovetail with his situation.
That reminds me - I liked “Battleground” a lot. The only bad thing about the “no dialog” conceit was that I absolutely could not believe that a guy in that situation would not, at least once, say, “You’ve gotta be shitting me!” or something in that vein.
Haven’t watched “Crouch End” yet, but I’m anticipating disappointment. That sucks - I really like the story.
I imagine “Autopsy Room Four” will have a running voiceover of the guy’s thoughts. It’ll be interesting to see how they flirt around the relevant life sign. I so hope they leave in the line, “Jeez, Doc! What’re you trying to do, stroke him back to life?!”
I can’t wait to see “Dolan’s Cadillac” as a movie - that will kick some serious ass.
You are absolutely right! My post was unnecessarily snarky and condescending. I apologize.
Perhaps you are a Kirsten Dunst fan? Small Soldiers made the rounds on cable recently.
Thank you. I Tivoed the midnight airing of “Crouch End” and will watch it tonight.
I’m more looking forward to seeing how my opinions match those of nearly everone else here than to seeing the episode itself.
It’s also similar to an episode of the early-80s, Twilight-Zone-esque anthology series “Darkroom,” hosted by James Coburn.
I was thinking of this when I watched Battleground.
Thanks - truly, my admonition was about 10% serious and 90% silly, so don’t sweat it.
Cool thing is, my ignorance was successfully fought today!
Due to a scheduling mishap (with Mythbusters), I’d only gotten to see the second episode (Crouch End). Crouch End was the one I was most looking forward to of the series, so I was kinda pissed off at how bad it was.
This morning, I finally got to see Battlegrounds. Holy hell, that seriously made up for Crap End.
I loved it- it was damn near perfect.
Was that Mia Sara on the plane next to him? She seemed to react strangely to the figurine in his case.
The commando didn’t look as “good” as the other soldiers, but I’m willing to forgive that.
I was vaguely disappointed that he wrote “Screw You” instead of “Nuts” on the surrender note.
Good. I’ve been around this long without being pitted. Wouldn’t wanna have to start now. 
[aside]
rosenbaum made a long review of Small Soldiers and Saving Private Ryan, comparing the two. He prefered Small Soldiers.
[/]
I really liked the way they animated the soldiers. The movements was toy like, and at the same time human. Makes e think they used the same technique as Jackson did with Gollum.
Forlani was good, but is suddenly looking worn. It’s only 8 years since she did Joe Black, but she looks 15 years older.
Foo.
That really sucked…in a black-slime-drippin’, shoe-stealin’, phony-werewolf-lookin’, why-the-hell-would-they-paint-Nyarlathotep-on-the-warehouse-wall, bad-actin’, “Hey-let’s-take-the-shortcut-through-this-dark-scary-tunnel!” kinda way.
Why didn’t you guys warn me?
Battleground = B+
I get why they though it would be cool to make the whole episode with no dialog. But I really missed it’s presence. Anyone in that situation, no matter how hardened an individual they are, would be talking and muttering to themselves and shouting and jeering at the soldiers. But on the whole, it was a nice effort and fun to watch. It was one of the brighter spots in Skeleton Crew.
Crouch End = F
Crouch End was damn near unwatchable. They should all be ashamed of themselves. The acting alone was atrocious, but I fault mainly the guy… Forlani didn’t have much to work with, since her part was mainly reactionary. I pray this will be the worst of them all, but I’m not holding my breath for You Know They’ve Got A Hell Of A Band, either. Yikes.
Looking forward to The End of the Whole Mess and Autopsy Room 4.