Unrelated Movies With Hidden Connections: A Deep Dive
In the vast landscape of cinema, two movies may appear to share no common ground until you delve deeper. Sometimes, a hidden connection can be discovered through a shared director, a cameo, or a shared location. This article explores such hidden connections between seemingly unrelated films, highlighting fascinating examples that might make for intriguing double features or marathon movie sessions.
Sequels and Prequels
In some cases, two movies are related simply because they are part of a larger narrative arc. For example, Goodfellas and My Blue Heaven. My Blue Heaven features a comedically fictionalized version of Henry Hill, which directly follows Goodfellas. Similarly, The Post could serve as a perfect companion to All the President's Men, as they start and end at significant points in journalism history.
Shared Cinematic Universes
Sometimes, an interconnected cinematic universe can span multiple films with no direct mention of one another. Consider the connection between Brightburn and The Boys. Though separate, these superhero flicks share no official tie, yet their existence in the same genre hints at a potential deeper linkage beyond mere coincidence.
Other examples include The Day After Tomorrow and Snowpiercer, which both explore alternate realities and survival themes. Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill also share a subtle connection through the character Uma's reference to the former in the latter.
Rosemary's Baby and The Omen are both chilling stories about dark supernatural forces, while League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Hellboy feature legendary and mythical entities from different dimensions.
The premise extends to science fiction with The Day the Earth Stood Still and Men in Black. Both deal with alien visitors posing as humans, creating a plausible link between their universes, even without official confirmation.
Connecting Through Minor Details
Some connections between films are much more subtle, often found in small details that require keen observation. For instance, in Casper, you'll find the cameo of Ghostbusters's Dr. Ray Stantz, a clear, unacknowledged connection despite the films' complete lack of other direct ties. Similarly, Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs share a connection through the last name "Vega," although Tarantino later confirmed that they are brothers.
Another example is Coming to America and Trading Places, which share some creative cameos. Genuine connections can be similarly subtle, like the brief appearance of E.T. in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, where the alien creatures appear in a senate scene.
Soldier and Blade Runner are more intricately linked by their screenwriter, David Peoples. According to his own testimony, Soldier takes place in the same universe as Blade Runner. Even specific details, such as the character Todd's military service, tie Soldier back to other iconic films like The Thing.
Alien Franchises
The Predator and Alien franchises have a well-documented shared element, with the Predator 2 featuring an Alien skull in a trophy case. This is enough to confirm a shared universe between the two.
Alien and Aliens, being the only two films definitively part of the franchise, have a deep connection. The Predator and Alien worlds are further intertwined through the film Prometheus, where the names of Captain Weyland and Dr. Tyrell from their respective franchises are explicitly mentioned and linked.
Die Hard and Lethal Weapon: A Shared Narrative Universe?
The connection between the Die Hard and Lethal Weapon franchises is more thematic. Despite the same director, producer, and composer, the movies share a common tone, atmosphere, and structure. The characters and stories do not interweave, but the shared elements create a narrative universe that can amaze viewers.
Generally, Die Hard and Lethal Weapon evoke the same emotional and thematic response, making a shared narrative world plausible. Consider The Last Boy Scout, also written by Shane Black and composed by Michael Kamen, which adds another layer of continuity to this potential shared universe.
In conclusion, while some connections are overt and acknowledged, others remain hidden, waiting to be discovered by those with a keen eye for detail. Exploring these connections offers a unique and engaging experience, making for memorable movie nights not just watched, but experienced as part of an interconnected cinematic universe.