subtle inferences in movies

[dwbakerjr]

I was just responding about a movie, and made reference to the Computer HAL (in 2001 Space Odyssey). How many folks noticed that HAL is 'one letter previous alphabetically' from the name of a rising computer giant back then named IBM (i,h b,a m,l)? Or who noticed the guy giving Shrek such a hard time looked an awful lot like a guy named Eisner?

Anybody think of any others? (Im sure there are jillions).

 

[Dan Murphy]

That HAL inference was neat. Never thought about that. It is one of my very favorite moves.

 

[Saffron]

I'm really bad at that stuff, but I love to read about them. I know The Simpsons and Rocky and Bullwinkle are known for their subtle and not so subtle inferences.

 

[KimR]

Here's one for you!

Kurt Russell is a big Van Halen fan, and his favorite VH album was 5150. From the movie 'Tombstone', in the scene where he's saying goodbye to his brother, his brother is in a train car with the number 5150 on it.

Kim

 

[dwbakerjr]

There is a relatively widespread perception that Mr Peabody (with his pet boy Sherman) was somehow named after the "Peabody Awards" given out for excellence in broadcasting. Actually, Mr Peabody (a dog) was named after Bill Scott's dog Peabody (Bill Scott was head writer for Rockey/Bullwinkel).

And another Rocky related note; Matt Groenig (producer of the Simpsons) paid homage to Jay Ward (createor of Rocky) by giving Bart the middle initial 'J' (Bartholomew J. Simpson ).

Boris Badenov was a takoff on a real Russian opera called "Boris Goodenov" (remember this cartoon was created during the 'cold war').

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Recently saw the episode of the Simpsons where Homer "rents" Marge to Arnie Ziff for $1,000,000. While that is obviously a send up of Indecent Proposal, I'd forgotten that when Marge is being picked up by Arnie, he comes in a helicopter. As Marge leaves and a sad Homer watches, the theme to MASH is played and as she pulls away Homer has written in rocks "Keep Your Clothes On." -- which is a homage to the last episode of MASH.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

In the movie Bridget Jones' Diary.. the male lead played by Colin Firth is named Mark Darcy... the writer of this book wrote that part with Colin in mind to play it and named the character, Mark Darcy, for the role he played in Sense and Sensibility.. I am not too sure that is subtle... but cool anyway.

 

[dwbakerjr]

Did anyone besides me do a double-take when they heard the reference to Dwarf-tossing in the 2nd LOTR movie last week..?

 

[Boots]

I think things like this are so interesting. But I never ever catch them until someone points them out to me!!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Annie&Hallie'sMom
Recently saw the episode of the Simpsons where Homer "rents" Marge to Arnie Ziff for $1,000,000. While that is obviously a send up of Indecent Proposal, I'd forgotten that when Marge is being picked up by Arnie, he comes in a helicopter. As Marge leaves and a sad Homer watches, the theme to MASH is played and as she pulls away Homer has written in rocks "Keep Your Clothes On." -- which is a homage to the last episode of MASH.

Ok, I can't stand The Simpsons ever since they got their own show, (they were cute as filler on the Tracey Ulman Show), but THAT scene would've cracked me up and I definitely would've gotten the reference to the final MASH episode. lol

I love finding references like this in movies and other shows... there really are tons of them, and not everyone catches them.

 

[dwbakerjr]

The homage (or just cheap copies if you will) to the history of science fiction movie references in Independence Day are COUNTLESS. The biggest one I recall was the TV in the trailer out in the desert that was watching "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (y'know, the movie with the big one-eye robot walking down the ramp).

 

[kinlaw6450]

Did anyone catch the Captain EO reference in MEN IN BLACK II?

Michael Jacson was on the screen asking to join MIB. He directly referred to Captain EO...