I just saw Babel last night. It was so full of misery. I actually cried during the parts towards the end. I seriously haven't done that in awhile. Good movie, yes, but too many bad decisions being made in one film. It's worse than reality, for me at least. :-I
I would think it "pays hommage" (if that's the right phrace to use) to all the below B horror and action movies that have been released in decades past especially the 60s or 70s. *shrug Just my opinon...