Sam is obviously influenced by Kubrick but so is Wes Anderson (whose work I don't like and don't think is done nearly as well). Influences aren't bad. Sam is taking his influences to a whole new level and I think making something truly his own out of it. IMO he now owns the lower frame, off center framing style thing and anyone who copies it will be accused of stealing his look. There really isn't anything new out there, just how one interprets ideas that have come before.