MovieChat Forums > Trojan War (1997) Discussion > Obscure references in the movie...anyone...

Obscure references in the movie...anyone?...

posted 18 years ago by bobronnie
14 replies | jump to latest

Firstly, i gotta say that this movie (in all it's corn and fluff) was killer, and one i have seen many times when i need a quick laugh.

Personally i think the movie is trying to emulate the classic 80's teen flicks like 'License To Drive', 'Adventures In Babysitting', 'Can't Buy Me Love', and other films of the genre that i grew up loving to death. This movie does a pretty good job of it as well, giving plenty of cheap laughs all the way through. I'm 33 years old and i guess this movie makes me think back to high school and the times when you had the chance to score with a hottie and it all seemed to go terribly wrong or you screwed it up in some way (haha).

What makes this move work for other people is probably that - they have related to the subject matter at one stage.

Anyway, i have a point here. Did anyone pick up the little obscure references to other movies that the director/writers placed in???

I am thinking they were placed as a homage to other actors/movies? I can only think of a few off hand but feel free to add to these if you find more.

1. First of all the casting of the great Anthony Michael Hall as the demented bus driver. Reminded me of the twisted paperboy wanting his $2 in 'Better Off Dead'.

2. The model and number of the bus is the same as the bus in Speed (Keanu Reeves), 2525.

3. Casting Lee Majors character as a cop and calling him AUSTIN (tribute to his immortal Six Million Dollar Man character).

4. Also, in the police interview room, the light is swinging furiously making the scene dark and light. Can someone please tell me what the reference is to here, i know that was in another big movie??

Theres a few more but i have to watch the movie again.

[–] breaks0 18 years ago

All I can say about #4 is that I think that's from alot of movies/tv shows. It's just a dramatic effect that's used often in police interrogations.

[–] bobronnie 18 years ago

Good point but i'm positive i noticed that effect in a 'notable' scene of an unknown movie...Maybe my mind is tricking me?

Thanx for the reply breaks0..

cheers
bobronnie

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] RobertKS 18 years ago

The hoods' acceptance of the naive goody-goody hero into their circle--as temporary as it is convenient--is reminiscent of George Lucas's <i>American Grafitti</i>.

[–] bobronnie 18 years ago

agreed and well spotted..

[–] shespuzzling 18 years ago

The light swinging, isn't that from PSYCHO? When Vera Miles' character discovers the secret of Norman Bates' mother, doesn't her arm hit the overhead light and leave it swinging wildly? That's what came immediately to mind when I read your item 4.

[–] bobronnie 18 years ago

um..to be honest i'll have to watch Psycho again...but you have the best theory yet, so cheers!

does anyone else have an opinion on this?

--------------------
"Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules."

Cheers
BobRonnie

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] redwillowdog 17 years ago

True this movie is reminiscent of many great genre picks from the 70's and 80's, but is also why I love it. Here's some others...

- The whole main plot point of "guy lusts after hot, otherwise unobtainable girl- while best friend/girl is secretly in love with him, and he's too blind to see it, at first" is right out of a number of movies, including "The Chicken Chronicles", "Secret Admirer" and "Some Kind Of Wonderful".

- The scene at the beginning of the movie where Will Freidell's character (Brad)is daydreaming in school about the hot girl, then gets called upon by the teacher, but doesn't want to stand up because he's got an erection is right out of the movie "Mischief".

- The scene where Brad's taking to Leah (JLH) before his big date, and she's trying to see if he has what it takes to impress her by pretending to be the other girl, and then swooning under his charms, is also very similar to a scene in "Some Kind Of Wonderful"

- The scene where Brad has to go out an get a condom, and ends up being chased by a dog and the police also happens to Steve Guttenburg's character in "The Chicken Chronicles".

[–] punkrocker27ka 17 years ago

it sucks that this movie has such a crappy imdb rating.

[–] Hamiltonfilmmaker 17 years ago

Also, don’t forget about the Anthony Michael Hall cameo. He was in there representing the John Hughes films. He (John) is only the master of this genre. Not only in writing, but in directing too. He made such classics as The Breakfest Club, Werid Science, Sixteen Candles, Ferries Bullers Day Off and so on. Anthony was just great as the crazy bus driver. He is one the best actors in this genre. I also agree that this movie should have higher rating on here.

[–] joeydreamz 17 years ago

The ending, with the "chase-down-the-street" thing, is an homage to Some Kind Of Wonderful. I love the lines: "Is it everything you hoped it would be?"
"Close enough."

[–] scomer-1 12 years ago

How about, "You called me Brett. My name is Brad." ??

George Huang, of course, also directed "Swimming with Sharks" with Frank Whaley, who was in Pulp Fiction. A lot of people had trouble distinguishing between "Brett" and "Brad" when Samuel L. Jackson was talking to him. "Check out the big brain on Brad!" (Or was he saying Brett??

If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college.

[–] Dan_Garten 8 years ago

Cool.