Top Box Office Movies - Dave Chappelle’s Block Party

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (2006) Rogue Pictures
1 hr. 40 mins.
Starring: Dave Chappelle, Kanye West, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Cody Chestnut, Jill Scott, Bilal, Common, The Fugees, The Roots, Big Daddy Kane, Dead Prez, Kool G. Rapp, Talib Kweli, Tiffany Limos, Tariq Trotter
Directed by: Michel Gondry
This film is rated: R

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party

Rating:

E-MAIL FRANK OCHIENG

Photo: Rogue Pictures

Over the years, there have been a few concert movies where one has felt like they’ve crashed some communal ritual where the frantic fun and eye-opening experience are almost indistinguishable. Well, edgy Midwestern comedian Dave Chappelle has provided this same forethought: a frothy comedy concert/musical documentary with an undeniable abundance of razor-sharp wit and stylized hedonism. In “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party”, the gritty funnyman invites us all to his specialized big event where the conscientious laughter and lyrics are symbolically joined at the soulful hip.

Chappelle may be the unconventional host of this celluloid gala featuring his behind-the-scenes and on-stage comical high jinks but it’s director Michel Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) that’s the real ringmaster behind this desirable funky circus. Gondry is able to piece together a festive connection on a rising comedian whose one foot is on the pulse of super stardom while the other one tries to stay grounded in his humbled upstart reality. This is certainly an understatement when stating that Chappelle’s “Block Party” has a sensual personality that radiates impeccably with observational vibes.

Surprisingly, Chappelle’s spryly supreme gathering is able to escape any unkind or unfair comparisons to fellow legendary comics such as the late Richard Pryor or Eddie Murphy who’ve set the ultimate standard for polished, high caliber concert comedy films. Maybe it’s because Chappelle has ushered in a notable bash of his own that’s distinctive, thought-provoking, engaging, roguish and spiritually enlightening? Whatever the deal, Chappelle’s cluttered universe of friends, professional colleagues and strangers are woven under one blanket to present a tapestry of outrageous frolic accompanied by the mellow and militaristic tunes that deliciously sets the meditative tone.

The story behind the story is that Chappelle decided in September of 2004 to throw an all-day concert in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. And to top it off, he would invite all his famous friends such as Kanye West, Mos Def, and Common. Plus, some of Chappelle’s preferred musical acts would be on display to highlight the jamboree: Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Dead Prez, The Roots, ?uestlove (a.k.a. Ahmir-Khalib Thompson) and Big Daddy Kane...just to name a few. More important, the reunited performances of The Fugees featuring Lauren Hill is an inspirational occurrence to witness as they would harmonize after not being together for nearly seven years at that particular point.

Chappelle is an equal opportunity party planner because in addition to rounding up his noteworthy guest list of star power, he proudly distributes his “golden tickets” to random bystanders in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio. They’re told that a big lively concert is in the making and that they are encouraged to come along for the escapism of it all. Feeling giddy about his preparation for this New York-based showdown, Chappelle generously commissions the local university marching band to tag along as they’re promised to back up Kanye West’s haunting masterpiece entitled “Jesus Walks”.

Basically, Chappelle’s collaborative efforts are on display here as he trudges ahead to make his concocted black party a memorable footnote. Gondry and cinematographer Ellen Kurad Dave weave a wryly web of intrigue and nonsensical glee as they allow the cameras to accentuate the down-to-earth enthusiasm that Chappelle has for his upcoming party-hearty atmosphere.

Astoundingly, “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party’s” essence is rambunctious but there’s an underlying smoothness about this whole affair that’s liberating and intoxicating. Because Chappelle’s a confrontational comic, his hot-button humor is far from being considered safe. One shouldn’t go into this venture thinking that Chappelle is going to tip toe into politically correct chuckles as he can get down with the best of them in terms of his slap-in-the-face barbs. Couple Chappelle’s heated hilarity on the microphone with the various finger-snapping performers contributing their brand of hip hop, rock and heavy R & B crooning then you’ll have an envious feeling knowing that you weren’t part of the scene in person during Brooklyn’s fanatical taste of Chappelle’s recreational awakening. Still, the next best thing to being there in the middle of the action is actually observing Chappelle’s free-wheeling energy in patching this introspective pageantry together as a viewing outsider.

Overall, this chaotic congregation has its groove on and Chappelle oversees a wondrous operation where his sense of frivolity is potently demonstrated. In taking his off-kilter silliness to the common people or acting as the “youthful ebony Ed Sullivan” to an array of gifted artists on his assembled stage of talent, the immensely funny Chappelle’s freestyle way of cynically entertaining the masses is undeniably infectious. The inventive “Block Party” is a courageous and credible undertaking in which any performer can creatively cop an instant natural high.

Click here to comment on this review or post your own thoughts.

Frank Ochieng
© TheWorldJournal.com

<![if lt IE 4]> <script src="http://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329;type=js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://servedbyadbutler.com/go2/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329"> <img src="http://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve.ibs/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329;type=img" border="0" height="600" width="120" alt=""></a> </noscript><![endif]>

Top Box Office Movies © TheWorldJournal.com, All rights reserved. Student News Network For the best advertising rates at TheWorldJournal.com (120x600 - new banner format by the Interactive Advertising Bureau), click here. Back to top	e-mail: info@theworldjournal.com sales: sales@theworldjournal.com