Passing node parameters into views block
I can't give you the complete Views-based solution off the top of my head (although I think it must be possible) but the key to the solution is using 'Contextual filters' (they used to be called 'Arguments' in D6/Views2) and relationships.

Contextual filters are filters that take their value from the url, so you can narrow down the results to the current node currently. By adding a relationship for the node reference field, you can retrieve information from the nodes referenced by that field.

If I'm not mistaken, you can add a second contextual filter that makes use of the relationship, to exclude the current node from the related nodes.

Sorry this is not a complete how-to, but I hope it gets you started.