Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) Movie Information:

Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) Directed by: Michel Gondry Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) Written by: Dave Chappelle Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) Cast: Dave Chappelle, Kanye West, Erykah Badu, Dante Smith, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean

Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) U.S. Distributor: Rogue Pictures Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) U.K. Distributor: UIP

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Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) Synopsis:

A genuine crowd-pleaser, "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" spotlights comedy superstar Dave Chappelle as he presents a Brooklyn neighborhood with its very own once-in-a-lifetime free block party. The unprecedented combination of comedy and music was shot on location. In addition to Mr. Chappelle performing all-new material, the stellar roster of artists includes Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Dead Prez, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, the Roots, Cody ChesnuTT, Big Daddy Kane, and -- reunited for their first performance in over seven years -- the Fugees.

Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) Movie Review:

Director Michel Gondry and his cinematographer Ellen Kuras merge documentary and concert film genres in such a way that we feel like we're experiencing firsthand an energetic Brooklyn street party.

Comedian Chapelle planned the September 2004 event to reunite his musician pals and give something back to his community. Footage from the concert is intercut with rehearsals, interviews and a trip back to his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, where he recruits an entire marching band. And the concert itself is a significant mixture of urban music and pointed comedy, climaxing with a reunion of the Fugees (Hill, Jean and Pras) for the first time in seven years.

Gondry is a master at finding the surreal in everyday life, and he's clearly having fun here as he gets into Chappelle's mind, connecting his random thoughts and carefully pre-planned "improv" to the final performance. It's filmed with a bracing, unprocessed honesty that captures the edgy tone of the music and the sparky personalities of the performers. Chappelle is absolutely hilarious, and the chemistry he shares with his old pals (especially Mos Def) is infectious.

There are also a few terrific side-roads, such as interviews with the adjacent Broken Angel House's residents--an eccentric couple who doesn't understand or even like hip-hop but is open-minded enough to enjoy it on some level. By finding colourful characters like this all around the event, the film takes on a sort of narrative that carries us through and has a surprising resonance. And this is deepened by precise political commentary, such as the Dead Prez's comment that if you speak the truth in rap music you won't get any airplay.

Once the concert really kicks into gear, the film also captures the soaring passion of the audience--musical bliss and political zeal. And the performers really go for it. West is especially powerful on stage, and there are exceptionally strong numbers featuring Def, Badu and Scott, plus of course the Fugees on top form. As it proceeds, the film may feel a little long and repetitive, but you can't deny the raw force. And it's also a lot of fun.

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Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) review written by: Rich Cline