Dave Chappelle's Block Party

Some have said that Michel Gondry directed this documentary (this is not a movie) like their grandfather would have done with a mini-DV camera. Well, man, I'd like to meet your grandfather.

For those of you who don't know "When We Were Kings", it's time to watch it. Because both this documentaries are about the same thing. Of course I wouldn't say Block Party is as good, nor as powerful as when we were kings. But the purpose is the same: try to unite black people on one event, try to make them realise that even when you're black and coming from a poor neighbourhood, you can do something of your life without only blaming the white man for your condition.

Of course, at the time When We Were Kings was shot, Mobutu was Zaire's Dictator, and the movie was financed by Liberian producers, who mostly owned their money from selling diamonds coming from Sierra Leone, exchanged against AK-47's and other weapons. Therefore the omnipotent contradiction hidden behind the Black condition, and even mankind in general, but it has hurt black people much more: people trying to do good, and others getting money out of it with no rules or respect for anything or anyone.

So, for once, here in Block Party, it's something done for fun, not for money, but also for ideas, with representatives of this movement we don't see enough: Not only people AGAINST something or someone, but FOR a change, using the power that is present in this population. And Michel Gondry, who is a GREAT director, filmed this in the same way When We Were Kings was shot. Camera in hand, close-ups, rough cuts, interviews over the music, same kind of music, same kind of people. Showing the poverty, and showing there's hope. It's not a masterpiece to me, but a good documentary. And of course, if you don't like hip-hop it's hard to like it. I'm a huge fan of ALL the artist on this movie, I would have made exactly the same programmation if I had been in control!

because this was the sh*t! This is not a stand up routine, it is a CONCERT FILM sprinkled with Dave's personal moments interacting with folks, his love of the music and the artists. If people were expecting "The Chapelle Show--The Movie!", either they are stupid, or did not watch the trailer carefully. It's bigger than HIP HOP! This was also my dream concert! It would've been perfect if D'Angelo and Me'shell Ndegeocello were playing too. Then I'd be in heaven. It made me fall in love with Hip Hop and good soul music all over again. Can't wait to buy it on DVD. I just hope the DVD plays the full concert performances.

Just hearing Erykah Badu and Jill Scott rocking the chorus of "You got me" TOGETHER is worth the admission price. An instant classic. Thank God for Dave Chappelle!

this movie was outrageously funny due to the brilliant comic Dave Chappelle. This movie also features great music and entertainment. But if you think this movie is full of Dave Chappelles wild skits like on the Chappelle Show, ill let you know right now its not. Its a documentary about him putting this Block Party together. While it does have his amazing comic brilliance in it, it is MOSTLY filled with great music. Still I loved this movie for all its aspects, the Music, the jokes, the stories, and the entertainment. With Musical talent including Mos Deff, Kanye West, The Roots, Dead Prez, the Commons, a reunion of The Fugees, and much much more, this is a must see. So many of the movies that are put into theaters are not worth your 8-10 dollars, this one is. BUT go see it knowing that its not the Chappelle Show.

For someone like me who didn't watch much of Dave Chappelle or who isn't big into the hip-hop music, I was actually pleased with this. Maybe it's with the help of Michel Gondry, who I read/seen on TV say that he wanted to humanize the whole experience, both of the artists and the audience. That he did as I was completely moved and knew if I had been there, I would've felt the spiritual connection with the audience that I'm sure those there felt.

I think it was definitely worth the near 10 bucks. A fair amount of good rap/hip-hop music (dude, I was even bobbing my head), a fair amount of interviews, a fair amount of comedy, and a fair amount of social commentary. This movie provides a face for the reason why hip-hop is relevant to our culture. And, I seriously give mad props to Dave for getting GOOD rap acts for his party.

Ultimately, I think it's actually better going in not knowing what to expect from it as well.

Seeing this picture after a Hard night of partying, I had few expectations. But the laughs I had at the beginning of the movie set the tone for the rest of the picture. I just recently became a Chappelle fan, having only heard his comedy on Satellite radio. But I thought this movie was a nice blend of street and situational comedy, and I couldn't take my eyes off the circa. 1972 afro that Quest was sporting. It was poetry in motion.

I was not very knowledgeable about a few of the groups in the movie but I thought the concert scenes were great, and was in awe of the sheer musical ability of the featured groups; so much so, that I stopped and picked up a Jill Scott CD for my ride home.

You will laugh at the comedy scenes but this movie is not really about making you laugh. It seems to be a cross-cultural primer using comedy, music and just general conversation, to give all of us a small look into each other's world.