Customer Reviews

Block Party

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

For all its benefits, one of the things that modern technology has really put the kibosh on, unfortunately, is the concert movie.

These days, fans can see their favorite musicians on so many small screens -- on cable TV, the Internet, even their cellphones -- that there really isn't much of a demand for old-school, 1970s and '80s-era big-screen music experiences in the style of "Woodstock," "The Last Waltz," Led Zeppelin's "The Song Remains the Same" or the Talking Heads' excellent "Stop Making Sense."

Leave it to comedian Dave Chappelle, then, to bankroll something as unexpected as "Block Party," a film that fits right into that "back-in-the-day" cinematic category.

In September 2004, (before his famous flight to Africa) Chappelle set up a stage in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood and filmed a concert that featured hip-hop and R&B acts including Kanye West, the Roots, Erykah Badu and a reunion of the Fugees.

Like the 1973 documentary "Wattstax" (to which "Block Party" pays unabashed homage), the film focuses as much on the audience and the show's locale as it does the musicians onstage, and Chappelle wanders through it all, riffing in his edgy drawl that's part hip alley cat, part lunatic. His comic bit about James Brown's routine of commanding "hornshouts" from his band, those little blasts of instrumental punctuation, is one of the funniest scenes in any comedy in a long while.

Director Michel Gondry, who animated the White Stripes with Lego blocks and made "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," filmed the concert and peppers the movie with great little random, textural bits: Chappelle reflecting on jazz great Thelonious Monk or talking to the woman who supervised the day care center attended by the late Biggie Smalls; Wyclef Jean firing up a group of kids; a blissfully happy young couple on their way to the show.

There's a lot of music in the movie, too, and while "Block Party" isn't as much of a roof-raiser as one might expect (the heaviest it gets is West performing "Jesus Walks" with the Central State University marching band), the vibe is mostly funk and jazzy riffs, surprisingly mellow and accessible.

If the film has a drawback it's that, as in "Wattstax," the performance footage is constantly intercut with interviews. It's great to see the Fugees together again, but odd when Gondry cuts into their number to show ... musicians commenting on how great it is to see the Fugees together again.

But that's a minor quibble. For the most part, "Block Party" is an exuberant, inspiring surprise and a welcome wintertime blast of music and comedy. And it's especially cool that Chappelle has brought the concert movie back to American multiplexes.

Even as a fan of Dave Chapelle and all the artists featured in his block party, I was a bit apprehensive about this movie/documentary due to all the negative reviews it got. But within the first five minutes of the film, I knew that it was going to be something great. People expecting Dave Chapelle the comedian or one of his characters will be disappointed because what you get instead is Dave Chapelle the person. He's out interacting with real people and offering them the chance to be a part of something that he believes in. He's just out to have a good time and he wants to share that with as many people as possible, from Ohio probation officers and townspeople to the actual residents of the community where many of the artists featured in his block party were brought up. This is Dave doing something that he wants to do out of love for the music and its power to bring people together. The joy and energy of the people and artists featured is contagious, as is Dave's benevolence. It truly was a beautiful thing to behold!

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions first and foremost. I can't understand why a lot of people are bashing this flick when it's obvious they failed to piece together that this movie is a documentary about a.... (are you ready?) BLOCK PARTY! Seems to me all the people who are giving this movie a 1 star review were expecting to see a live version of The Chappelle Show or maybe some stand-up. C'mon people the title says everything. It's a show Dave and many of his close jazzy underground hip-hop friends put on in BK to show love to the people. How can you bash that? When was the last time you seen an entertainer on the top of his game put on a free show with as many well known acts as he did just to show his fans that they're appreciated? I give this flick a 4 star review for the simple fact that I don't think it's a perfect film. The acts were all on point in my humble opinion. If you like socially conscious hip hop then I think you'd enjoy this movie. Peace and Love.

I went into this movie hoping to have a good Dave Chappelle laugh and enjoy some good music. What I got was a wonderful cross section of hip hop, from the lyricists to the musicians to the revolutionaries to the divas. The performances are genuine and as such are sometimes chaotic. Energy at such a high level doesn't always flow smoothly. But the performances show the lie that hip hop is all about sampling beats, violence and degradation of women. Dave is a great host, showing that he is a true entertainer while at the same time an ambassador to people of differing backgrounds. Lastly, the performances of Jill Scott, Erika Badu, and Lauren Hill brought this man to tears. Exceptional!

It's as if someone downloaded one of my dreams. If I were to wish for a dream movie, this would be it. Not only does it have concert performances by some of my favourite hip-hop and neo-soul artistes ever - Kanye West, Common, Mos Def, The Roots, dead prez, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, just to name a few - it's all presented by my favourite comedian ever (well, maybe apart from Chris Rock), the fantastic Dave Chappelle. The movie was shown on TV here a few weeks ago and after seeing it the once, I just knew I had to see it again and ordered the DVD immediately.

Basically, we get to follow Dave as he returns to his hometown in Ohio to pass out invitations to his block party in Brooklyn, New York, including to an entire college or high school marching band. We get to see how he puts the show together and finally, we get to see the show itself. All the while, Dave peppers the movie here and there with his unique and inimitable humour.

Watching the movie, I was reminded of several things: One, how powerful hip-hop music is and how I need to try and get out and see more concerts before I'm finally too old to do so; Two, how beautiful and talented black people are; And three, how I need to get a couple of CDs added to my collection, particularly Erykah Badu's Worldwide Underground and Cody Chesnutt's The Headphone Masterpiece. I might actually get the soundtrack to the movie while I'm at it.

But more than anything else, I was reminded of the fact that Dave Chappelle is probably one of the funniest, most engaging and most charming comedians of our time. I love him to death. He says it was the "best single day" of his career and I believe him. He really seemed to relish the opportunity to put the show together for people, many of whom might never have had the opportunity to attend such an event.

It was also particularly interesting to see The Fugees on stage but while all three members gave a good performance, Lauryn Hill's heart didn't seem to be in it at all. Later on when she spoke to camera, her eyes just seemed dead.

The DVD has some pretty cool extras. Extended music acts, (you can play the movie either in its original format or with the extended concert performances), A short documentary "The Ohio Players: The Bus Ride", and two others "September in Brooklyn" and "The Making of Block Party".

I can't seem to get the subtitles to work on the main movie though but that's no big thing. I'm so glad I bought this DVD and can already see myself playing it over and over and never getting tired of it.

This movie went far beyond any expectations and hopes I may have had for it when I saw this in theaters. It is not simply a concert movie and it does not create a wall between artist and spectator. It is a joyous and uplifting film that celebrates not only Chappelle and the many musical artists represented but also the audience, the people bussed in from Ohio to see the concert, the businesses, organizations and New York locals that contributed to make this event happen. It was a film that truly became a communal experience and it is my favorite film of 2006(so far). I am anxious to see it again and get this into my DVD library!

My title says it all. If you're looking to see a great concert, you should get this movie. Most people are disappointed because they are expecting this entire movie to be able Dave's antics. He is hilarious in this movie, but the main purpose seems to be "Concert." Keep this in mind when purchasing this item!

--Pryncez

I already knew Dave Chapelle was funny, but what was a real eye-opener for me in this movie was what a generous spirit he has. I don't mean generous as in "he paid for this whole concert/film project himself" (although he did), I mean generous as in "he has a genuine interest and affection for ALL types of people."

Because of Chapelle's affability, one is disinclined to criticize BLOCK PARTY for cutting away from the musical acts to Dave as he ambles around a Brooklyn day-care center, or hangs out with an Ohio marching band. Eventually, the party starts. Now parties are fun to go to, but party movies are almost always lame. BLOCK PARTY is the exceptional exception to the rule.

Here are some quick hits on some of the performers: Ahmir-Khalib Thompson (articulate, and a great drummer), Kanye West (really good on his solo number), Mos Def (I love that guy), Talib Kweli (raps so fast, he sort of loses the flow), Dead Prez (had never heard them, now I want to hear more), Erykah Badu (wig blows off), Jill Scott (she kicks!), the Roots (I know they're really good, but it doesn't come across that well), the Fugees (good).

One of the best concerts I've ever seen. I love just about everything Dave Chappelle does. I loved it soooo much I bought the CD too.

I am a huge fan of Dave Chappelle, The Roots, & Mos Def and when I first saw this movie I was amazed at how much more there is to it than live performances. Dave Chappelle welcomes viewers into parts of his life that most people don't know about. The movie also focuses on the other artists and regular people who came to the show. It is also a really funny movie.