Blog Post 2 Responce

One hour and twenty-seven minutes later and I still can’t answer exactly what it is vampires do in the shadows, but  whatever it is, you’re bound to laugh a time or two. The first thing I noticed when watching this film was “The Office” like format. I think being shot as a documentary and making it seem more as if these events were actually accruing added to the absurdity of them, therefore making them funny. I agree that the humor in this film is best described by the incongruity theory. Something about these almost geeky vampire frat brothers living in the age of Myspace and Eggo Waffles, while they continue to wear blouses one can not even purchase anymore, creates a sense of pure absurdity that one cannot help but find amusing. This idea of combining moments in time that would never actually intermingle has been used endlessly in comedy, and here we see it at work. Beyond outdated wardrobe, the expired thought process of these now literally brain dead men is unbelievably believable.  One of the vampires, Viago, had a knack for cleanliness; the idea of a vampire who despises stains is an irony we all can appreciate. In one scene in specific he calls meeting to discuss his with housemates how they can better handle the chores; the entire discussion is extremely ironic and absurd considering their lifestyle.

Another element adding the incongruous humor of this film is the sheer inappropriate and jaw-dropping aspects to it. Upon watching this film I too laughed at Vladislav suggesting they should get slaves. As a 21st century viewer the suggestion of slavery is an obvious no no, but the ignorance and boldness of Vladislav’s horrendous idea has a shock factor that is undeniably funny. Later on in the film when the police arrived at their home, Viago said something along the lines “ and then the Christians will show up and that’s the last thing we need”. I found this hysterical, partial because the universal aspect of religious comedy, but it was also in no way what I expected him to say in that moment. It’s often the being caught off guard that makes something funny, in the sense one can’t tickle themselves because they know it’s coming. Certainly this movie was not at all what I saw coming, and that’s what made it.