Movie In-Jokes: Dark Star

One of the fun games when watching movies is to spot references, secret messages and gags that filmmakers, film crews and actors can slip into movies to pay tribute to films they love, have a bit of fun with their previous work, or give the cinematic equivalent of a shout-out. Here's a spotter's guide to these inside jokes.

This time out, we're taking a peek at a bit of nearly subliminal weirdness and a nod from one USC alumnus to another in John Carpenter's directorial debut, Dark Star.