Movie Review: Dave Chappelle's Block Party
Published June 15, 2006
Chappelle's Block Party appeals to a limited audience, but doesn't let that hold it back from being a wonderful mix of music and comedy.
"All comedians want to be musicians, and all musicians think that they are funny." – Dave Chappelle
Unfortunately for most comedians, they don't have the deep pockets of talented musician friends Dave Chappelle seems to have, making a vanity project such as Dave Chappelle's Block Party completely unthinkable. Thankfully for fans of Mr. Chappelle's brand of comedy and fans of hip-hop music everywhere, Dave does have the right friends and all the right ambitions necessary to bring some of the finest musical talents together on the silver screen.
In the fall of 2004, Dave Chappelle set out to throw his very own once-in-a-lifetime block party for 5,000 of his biggest fans. He spent days combing the streets of southwestern Ohio, passing out golden tickets that would send hundreds across the country to Brooklyn, New York, for what would become a monumental musical extravaganza. There, these lucky few would witness an awesome show, with performances from the likes of Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Dead Prez, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and the Roots.
They would also be treated to the historical reunion of Wyclef Jean, Pras, and Lauren Hill – formally known as the Fugees. With a spectacular concert and a little bit of sketch comedy to fill in the holes, Chappelle and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry set forth to make the Block Party a moment in musical and comedy history that will not soon be forgotten.
If you are a fan of hip-hop music, there is nothing about this film that will not send chills up your spine. The music is absolutely electrifying, and seeing such amazing talent all assembled on the same stage brings a moment of disbelief, followed by many moments of musical bliss. Cut in between the shots of Dave Chappelle roaming the streets seeking ardent fans of hip-hop is the amazing concert, which begins with an electrifying performance from Kanye West, flanked by the infinitely talented John Legend. Then, after performances from Mos Def, Common, and Talib Kweli, the women of Chappelle's Block Party take over and steal the entire show. Soulful and sexy, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott slow things down and heat things up with a few ballads.
- Movie Review: Dave Chappelle's Block Party
- Published: June 15, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Comedy, Video: Documentary, Video: Music
- Writer: Neil Miller
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I have tried to contact anyone to recieve this letter that hold much importance to me.
I'm writing this letter to tell you Thank You! I was watching the newest DVD release Dave Chappelle's Block Party, AMAZING, so many parts gave me goose bumps, they call that euphoric release WOW!!!
Before I tell you about the effects it had on me I would like to tell you about myself. My name is Kristina I am almost 30, a white woman with four beautiful white and black children. I grew up in Yakima, WA a city mostly white, but the neighborhoods definitely seperated. In High School my boyfriends were all black. I remember my Dad asking me if I was ever going to date a white guy? My answer was Dad I don't attract white men, my thick legs and big ass white men called me fat, black men adored my figure.
So I married my High School sweetheart he was from Lafayette LA we were marrie for six years and have been divorced for three years. While we were married I moved across the country to Savannah GA, Charleston SC and San Antonio TX.
The south was my home I felt as I belonged to every piece of it, the people, the weather, and the culture. This was somthing I was never around, I appreciated all the different people but each town fell short of what America is supposed to be, the melting pot where we are all given the same opportunity.
I moved back to Ephrata WA to help my dad with his back surgery. I apologize for rambling there is a point.
I am in awe with the way this concert was brought together, you couldn't have picked a better line up, people I have listened to for years.
You opened my eyes to a few things. One I am dissappointed to say that I have started to conform to what the people in this town look for, everyone to be alike and I am not like anyone I have met here.
Two I love music, can't sing or play any instrument but music takes me to a different place. Thank you for choosing the artist for this party I know I will listen to the soundtrack over and over.
Three this is why I am writing I want to make a difference, I want to help our children grow to know no color.
Traveling I saw the same fun every place I went to NO DOUBT everyone knows how to have a good time, I want us to learn to have a good time together.
This DVD has made me rethink my future plans from business restaurant/club owner to a woman with a major impact on our racial wars.
I would like to know from Dave, what do you think a no name woman like myself can do to stamp the next generation.
Thank you in advance for your time and I look forward to hearing back.