4. Neo Keeps His Important Computer Files In A Book Called Simulacra & Simulation, Which Deals With The Subject Of Reality As A Simulation - The Matrix
The Matrix is a movie that manages to blend genuine philosophy with shots of a man dodging bullets in slow-motion, amongst other badass things like kung-fu and helicopters with mini guns attached to them. At the beginning of the movie, which deals with a plot about life as we know it revealing itself to be the sum of an incredibly complex computer simulation, a guy turns up at Neo's apartment and buys some illegal files from him. No biggie. But take a look at the book where Neo keeps these important files: "Simulacra and Simulation," written by the philosopher Jean Baudrillard, whose subject matter is appropriate to that of the story of the film, given that it deals with the subject of reality as - you guessed it - a simulation. The original script called for an actual reference to the book to be made, but was ultimately cut in favour of this more subtle nod. The term "desert of the real" derives from Baudrillard's work, though. Apparently Baudrillard dislikes The Matrix. But bullet time is so cool, Jean!