Living in the Past

Went to see Reno 911 The Movie the other night, and saw the preview for the new Jamie Kennedy movie Kickn it Old Skool, [insert unrealistic comedic plot here] mostly about 80s break dancing. I got to thinking... is there real value in looking to the past?

I'm always looking to the past for inspiration. Weather it's a Glaser poster from the 60s, or 90s alt-rock, I often look to the past for some sort of influence. Is this a normal thing? Is there a thing as looking TOO much into the past? Is that when it becomes novel, like Jamie's movie?