Kubrick references in The Simpsons

Discussion in 'Visual Arts' started by wolfram, Jun 3, 2010.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    Inspired by the Kubrick's weakest link threads and by my own avatar, I thought it might be fun to collect Kubrick references in The Simpsons. I was always amazed how often Kubrick was cited in The Simpsons. Groening must be a big fan.

    I'll start with Bart dressing up as Alex for Halloween. I found the thought that a 10-year-old had seen Clockwork Orange always disturbing, but it was one of the Halloween episodes after all.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    BTW: Of course this thread is more fun with pictures if possible.
     
  2. Turnaround

    Turnaround Senior Member

    Location:
    -
    I recall (because I still laugh about it today) the Shining parody from a Treehouse of Horrors episode where Groundskeeper Willie says to Bart, "Boy, you read my thoughts! You've got the Shinning."

    Bart: "You mean 'Shining'".

    Groundskeeper Willy: "Shh! You want to get sued?"

    http://www.duffzone.org/content.php?title=refshin

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Yankee8156

    Yankee8156 Senior Member

    Location:
    New York
    Here's a nice article with side by side comparisons of the Simpsons and the film the scene references. A Clockwork Orange is in there, as is Full Metal Jacket.

    There's the episode where Homer dreams about riding a bomb Slim Pickens-style. I couldn't find a large enough picture for that.

    There's also the episode where Bart writes on Homer's head, and when the pen is thrown into the air, it mimics the opening sequence of 2001 with the bone being tossed in the air. It also references the Star Child with Homer playing the role.
     
  4. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    That's cool. Thanks. I'm surprised the episode is missing where Lisa is conditioning Bart with electric shocks so he can't steal muffins anymore. I even found a SHF friendly side-by-side comparison.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    Yep, great episode.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  6. SoundAdvice

    SoundAdvice Senior Member

    Location:
    Vancouver
    Doesn't the Homer as Astronaut episode have a bunch of 2001 references?
     
  7. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    I remember him floating in zero gravity, eating crisps to the rhythm of Strauss' Blue Danube.
     
  8. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    And of course there is the conditioning of Santa's Little Helper into a vicious guard dog.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. gd0

    gd0 Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies

    Location:
    Golden Gate
  10. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
    Beautiful stuff. Makes me want to go through my "good" Simpson's seasons (4-10 if you must know):righton:
     
  11. lukpac

    lukpac Senior Member

    Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  12. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    Thanks for those. Here's some more 2001. It's Homer on the “Spinemelter 2000″ easy chair.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    There is also a Treehouse of Horror episode where a computer (with the voice of Pierce Brosnan) falls in love with Marge, takes over the house and tries to kill Homer.

    [​IMG]
     
  14. SgtPepper1983

    SgtPepper1983 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    Nothing has been referenced to more often on the Simpsons than Stanley Kubrick and Edgar Allan Poe.
    What a show!

    P.S.: I had never got the Clockwork Orange/Muffins connection until now. Incredible!
     
  15. CletusVanDamme

    CletusVanDamme Forum Resident

    Location:
    Baltimore MD
    Nothing to add, but nice job with the comparison pics wolfram. Cool thread.

    Andy
     
  16. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    "Godfather" has to be up there...
     
  17. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    To be honest, the comparisons are not mine. You can find these on the internet.
     
  18. I always thought that was more a reference to the movie Demon Seed.

    Great thread!
     
  19. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    Have to admit I don't know Demon Seed, but the computer is obviously HAL 9000.


    Thanks.
     
  20. BTails

    BTails New Member

    Hitchcock gets A LOT of references on the Simpsons as well. And the subtly of some of these references is what makes them so great; they're there for the audience members who get them, but they're not crucial to the overall enjoyment of any given episode. This is, or course, in stark contrast to the (wildly unfunny, IMO) Family Guy, where every reference begins with Peter saying "Remember that time..."
     
  21. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    Cause it's hard to find. :)

    [​IMG]



    This must be from one of the opening sequences:
     

    Attached Files:

  22. agentalbert

    agentalbert Senior Member

    Location:
    San Antonio, TX
    In one of the episodes (probably the one with the Shining references), Homer says "all work and no play makes Homer a something something", which I guess is maybe more correctly a Stephen King reference, but its close enough.
     
  23. Evan L

    Evan L Beatologist

    Location:
    Vermont
    Lots of Beatles references in the Simpsons too.

    Evan
     
  24. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    But if you look hard enough...
     

    Attached Files:

    • SL5.jpg
      SL5.jpg
      File size:
      47.7 KB
      Views:
      0
  25. wolfram

    wolfram Slave to the rhythm Thread Starter

    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    You mean these guys?

    [​IMG]
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

molar-endocrine