Oh yes I too was in a theatre full of people who did not laugh at that particular reference. Luckily I had finally seen Chinatown just this year so I was the only one laughing. Oh wait- I think the first audience I saw it with did get the reference. Or maybe that was just ND and Kristin laughing along with me.
I also recognized tributes to The Matrix and a few other films whose titles escape me now.
There were at least a couple but right now I can only recall at the end when they're fighting in the "rain" and Nick grabs Skinner's fist.
I don't know if I mentioned it in-thread at the time, but I also wondered if the name Angel was a reference to the vampire. (Only because I know Wright & Co are BtVS fans.)
One of the music guys was called Nick Angel, Jess, so I think it was after him. Cool as hell name.
It's like two vampire detectives in one!
Saw
Bug.
felt a little too much like a play in the last half-hour, but other than that it worked very well. Ashley Judd is fabulous. Our friend, Mike Shannon, kicks ass, just as he did in the play. A big surprise to me was Harry Connick Jr. Not only is he Mr. Buff Workoutlington, he is REALLY impressive and scary and believable.
I am sorry that they are marketing this as a horror film instead of a very black comedy'psychological thriller. It's supposed to be disquieting and also sometimes very funny. There were some people in our audience who seemed to be laughing AT moments rather than with them, if you know what I mean. I don't think they realized the writer emant them to laugh, which the rest of us did.
Still, worth a visit.