{"id":1810704,"date":"2018-01-22T10:12:38","date_gmt":"2018-01-22T18:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/?p=1810704"},"modified":"2018-01-22T10:12:38","modified_gmt":"2018-01-22T18:12:38","slug":"5-cult-classic-comedy-films-perfectly-illuminate-humorous-side-existential-dread","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/5-cult-classic-comedy-films-perfectly-illuminate-humorous-side-existential-dread\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Cult Classic Comedy Films That Perfectly Illuminate The Humorous Side Of Existential Dread"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Not often do we equate Fyodor Dostoevsky&#8217;s concept of Existentialism with\u00a0comedy, but the truth of it is that the two pair together quite well.<\/p>\n<p>It can be difficult to define yourself as anything short of being a cynic when immersed in the study of human nature and its Existentialism roots.\u00a0If anything, the development\u00a0of cynicism for the Existentialist is almost an unavoidable occupational hazard. Look on the bright side though; with an understanding\u00a0of\u00a0Existentialism and the divine cynicism responsible for the existential dread we endure on a daily basis, we are bestowed the gift of dry humor. An acquired taste in comedy designed to precisely reflect the jaded and insightful nature of the modern Existentialist, it&#8217;s no wonder that we (especially those of us here at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vmpfilms.com\">VM Productions<\/a>) retreat to the cool comforts of humor amid the woes of living in a waking world of existential dread.<\/p>\n<p>In the spirit of existential dread, bleak outlooks and dry humor, check out these five cult classic\u00a0comedy films fit for the challenge of humoring just about any jaded soul.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>5 Of Our Favorite Comedies Focused On Dealing With Existential Dread<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>My First Mister<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4GcA7d6Gcgo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Easily the single most overlooked film on this surely binge-worthy list, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/My-First-Mister-Christine-Lahti\/dp\/B002H9J4E0\" target=\"_blank\">My First Mister<\/a><\/em> starring Albert Brooks (<em>The Simpsons, Finding Dory<\/em>) and Leelee Sobieski (<em>Eyes Wide Shut, The Wicker Man<\/em>) is a genuinely dry, awkward and grimly-silly coming-of-age tale. Set within the confines of a hilariously unlikely friendship between a juvenile, but significantly jaded, mall-goth and a short-fused OCD bachelor, <em>My First Mister<\/em> is a parable on the relationships that we, as humans, form to protect ourselves from the looming threat of existential dread brought forth by being lonely and misunderstood.<\/p>\n<p>From the bleak bottomlessness of existential dread, to the awakening of a newly found optimism, the entertainment value of this film is found not in adventure but in its insight into the human condition and the need to form relationships.\u00a0 Managing to be both bittersweet and cynically hopeful, <em>My First Mister<\/em> is an enigma even among dark humor flicks and a must-see for fans of any such stylings.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>2.\u00a0<strong>Heathers<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v5gHF3FNr78?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hulu.com\/watch\/418882\" target=\"_blank\">Heathers<\/a><\/em> is as classic a teen &#8220;dramedy&#8221;\u00a0as <em>Clueless<\/em>\u00a0but also just as dysfunctional as its sinister sister\u00a0<em>Jawbreaker<\/em>. In case this classic somehow slipped through your fingers over the years, <em>Heathers <\/em>is\u00a0a stupendously hilarious\u00a0allegory on\u00a0struggling to fit in within the confines of conventional society while dealing with the dangers and temptations of such brought on by peer pressure while staying true to yourself. Starring Shannen Doherty (<em>Mallrats, Charmed<\/em>), Christian Slater (<em>Archer, True Romance<\/em>) and Winona Ryder (<em>Stranger Things, Edward Scissorhands<\/em>), <em>Heathers<\/em> is the perfect hybrid of an aesthetic and puffy-sleeved romantic comedy and a teen slasher.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.\u00a0 Office Space<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dMIrlP61Z9s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Quite possibly the premiere ballad for the 9-5 working stiff, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B000I9X668\" target=\"_blank\">Office Space<\/a><\/em>\u00a0has earned itself a permanent seat at the metaphorical table for film&#8217;s dealing with existentialism in the most viscerally humorous ways possible. Focusing on the trivialities of\u00a0 everything from our daily commute\u00a0 to\u00a0trying to date in the &#8220;working world,&#8221; <em>Office Space<\/em> is an insightful foray into the daily struggles of cubicle dwellers as it is undeniably candid in its humor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. American Beauty<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FfWnZthD9Tw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>A film set for the stage,\u00a0<em>American Beauty<\/em> was initially intended as a play before making its way to the silver screen. Focusing on the many facets of human nature such as relationships, sexuality and conformity and the various pressures of maintaining the ideal outward aesthetic, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/American-Beauty-Kevin-Spacey\/dp\/B001F4UHEE\" target=\"_blank\"><em>American Beauty<\/em><\/a> manages to be both tragic and hilarious in all of its explorations into human melancholia. With its superb humor and complexity, it&#8217;s no wonder this title continues gaining the favor of struggling, workaholic and\u00a0socially rebellious fans year after year.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Clerks<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Mlfn5n-E2WE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>As if the chaos for these lowly convenience store attendants wasn&#8217;t enough to ignite a downward spiral of existential dread, writer and director Kevin Smith&#8217;s use of black and white perfectly accentuates\u00a0the daily dose of cynicism\u00a0his 1994 cult classic retail anthem,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B006RXPSLK\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0<em>Clerks<\/em><\/a> brings. The\u00a0ironically austere appeal of <em>Clerks<\/em> dry and raunchy humor launched an empire of similarly humored films to come from Smith including fan favorites with an ever revolving cast like <em>Mallrats<\/em> and <em>Dogma<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What&#8217;s your favorite comedy film dealing with existential dread?<\/span><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Connect with us on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dostoyevsky.bts\/\">Facebook<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Dostoyevsky23\">Twitter<\/a> and drop us a line telling us what your favorite comedy film is and why!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Want to know about VM Productions&#8217; &#8220;Dostoyevsky-Los Angeles Project&#8221; and about the films we make? Want to participate in our projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> For more updates and news from VM Productions and\u00a0the low-down on how to become a producer, actor, crew member on our movies follow us through social media on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NotesMovie\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/missing-Hurley-102978929751989\/\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/plus.google.com\/u\/0\/b\/106007188115393873480\/106007188115393873480\/posts\" target=\"_blank\">Google+<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/vmpfilms\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pinterest<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/vmproductions-us.tumblr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Tumblr<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/vm_productions\/\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/user\/show\/1254413-dostoyevsky-bts\">Goodreads<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Sign up to get the tickets to the premiere of our movie in post production <\/strong><em><strong>Dostoyevsky Reimagined-BTS<\/strong><\/em><strong> and <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>grab our\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dostoevsky-bts.com\/landing.html\" target=\"_blank\"> FREE e-books !<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.shadesofday.com\/VMP\/method.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-1423596 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/method-without-title-276x300.png\" alt=\"method-without-title\" width=\"240\" height=\"261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/method-without-title-276x300.png 276w, https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/method-without-title.png 544w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dostoevsky-bts.com\/landing.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1721058\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1721058 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Hurley-COVER-7.10.17-smaller-size--225x300.png\" alt=\"Hurley -COVER - 7.10.17-smaller size--\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Hurley-COVER-7.10.17-smaller-size--225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Hurley-COVER-7.10.17-smaller-size-.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"selectionShareable\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dostoevsky-bts.com\/landing.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-401962\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-401962 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/signupnow-ribbon-orange.png\" alt=\"signupnow-ribbon-orange\" width=\"224\" height=\"81\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Not often do we equate Fyodor Dostoevsky&#8217;s concept of Existentialism with\u00a0comedy, but the truth of it is that the two pair together quite well. It can be difficult to define yourself as anything short of being a cynic when immersed in the study of human nature and its Existentialism roots.\u00a0If anything, the development\u00a0of cynicism for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":1855089,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false},"categories":[61,1],"tags":[510,509,507,137,506,58,232,508,9],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810704"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1810704"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1863113,"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810704\/revisions\/1863113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1855089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1810704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1810704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dostoevsky-bts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1810704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}