Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006)
Average Rating: 7.7/10
Reviews Counted: 125
Fresh: 115 | Rotten: 10
Dave Chappelle's Block Party is a raucous return to the spotlight for the comic. Buoyed by Chappelle's witty, infectious humor and outstanding performances from some of the more socially conscious artists in hip-hop like Mos Def, Kayne West, the Roots, and (will wonders never cease?) the reunited Fugees, this documentary/concert film is a joyous experience. With an appealing mix like that, who doesn't want to attend this Party?
Average Rating: 7.7/10
Critic Reviews: 36
Fresh: 33 | Rotten: 3
Dave Chappelle's Block Party is a raucous return to the spotlight for the comic. Buoyed by Chappelle's witty, infectious humor and outstanding performances from some of the more socially conscious artists in hip-hop like Mos Def, Kayne West, the Roots, and (will wonders never cease?) the reunited Fugees, this documentary/concert film is a joyous experience. With an appealing mix like that, who doesn't want to attend this Party?
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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 95,994
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Movie Info
In September 2004, comedian Dave Chappelle took a break from his immensely successful Comedy Central show to stage a free, unpublicized, all-star hip-hop concert in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. Inviting fans over the Internet, on the street, and even in his family's hometown of Yellow Springs, OH, Chappelle asked filmmaker Michel Gondry to document the event from its inception on through to the performances themselves. The result is Dave Chappelle's Block Party, a concert film
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Eugenia "China" Black
Back-up Vocals -
Keisha Williams
Back-up Vocals -
R.C. Williams
Keys -
Braylon Lacy
Bass -
Raphael Iglehart
Drums -
Eric Greene
Drums -
Burton Smith
Percussion -
DJ Dummy
DJ -
Stick Man
Dead Prez -
M-1
Dead Prez -
Miamouna Youssef
Back-up Vocals -
Lauryn Hill
The Fugees -
Wyclef Jean
The Fugees -
Prakazrel "Pras" Michel
The Fugees -
Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis
The Fugees -
Donald Guillame
Drums -
Leon Higgins
DJ -
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Tiffany Phinazee
Back-up Vocals -
Carla Duren
Back-up Vocals -
Tariq 'Black Thought' Tro...
The Roots -
Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompso...
The Roots -
Leonard Nelson Hubbard
The Roots -
James Gray
The Roots -
Kirk "Make Your Body Work...
The Roots -
Frank "Knuckels" Walker
The Roots -
Peter Kuzma
Keys -
Dave Manly
Guitar -
Valvin Roane
Back-up Vocals -
Caroline Lee Johnson
Back-up Vocals -
Leonard Harris
Back-up Vocals -
Dexter Mills
Back-up Vocals -
DJ A Trak
DJ -
Adam Blackstone
Bass -
Omar Edwards
Keys -
Kevin Hanson
Guitar -
Norman Jeff Bradshaw
Trombone -
Matt Cappy
Trumpet -
Chris Farr
Saxophone -
James Poyser
Keys -
Don Moore
Bass -
Rudolph Walker
Drums -
Isaac Ben Ayala
Piano -
Craig Bailey
Saxophone -
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The Brooklyn Steppers
Bed-Stuy -
Luz Grice
Bed-Stuy -
Darren "Mr T." Hymes
Bed-Stuy -
Lil' Cease
Bed-Stuy -
Andrea Smith
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Dave Chappelle's Block Party Trailer & Photos
All Critics (129) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (120) | Rotten (10) | DVD (19)
Chappelle keeps things lively, joking on camera, punctuating the acts with gags , while Michel Gondry maintains our interest, focusing as much on Chappelle's energy and wit, and goings-on behind the scenes, as the gig itself.
Top CriticI want to see another hour of Dave Chappelle's Block Party.
A return to rowdy form.
No one enjoys the free festivities more than Chappelle, who wanders through the film like a kid on Christmas morning. A very funny kid.
Chappelle's talent and the characters in the movie give it a universal appeal, even to those unfamiliar with hip-hop.
It's intermittently funny, but it peaks too soon and runs far too long. And for all its length, Block Party doesn't tell us much about Chappelle that we haven't seen before.
Gives off an inclusive hum
Provocative documentary is for older teens and adults only.
Gondry brings a caught-on-the-fly style to the footage that nonetheless coheres into something that feels planned, or pre-ordained.
Dull and repetitive. Your own reaction to it will depend a lot on how well you like these particular artists performing in concert.
Easily overshadowed by the musical performers, particularly The Fugees, reunited to deliver a most-moving rendition of Killing Me Softly, it is easy to understand why Dave withdrew into his shell, after watching his lame stand-up act here.
Fans expecting that trademark Chappelle sketch humor are likely to be disappointed by Block Party, for this concert flick's strength lies in its inspired performances by a host of socially-conscious hip-hop artists.
It's no Last Waltz, but this crowd-pleasing concert film offers an entertaining mix of music and comedy.
A concert film for people who don't like concert films, Dave Chappelle's Block Party does such a good job of putting you in the middle of the action that only the end credits can remind you that you're sitting in a movie theatre.
Yes, there's a little preachiness here, but it doesn't puncture the party mood. Or stop Chappelle telling dirty jokes about prostitutes, for that matter. Thanks to him this isn't just a musical feast, but a rib-busting comedy too.
Audience Reviews for Dave Chappelle's Block Party
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Foreign Titles
- Block Party (FR)
Before the creative differences Dave Chapelle had concerning the future of his show, he decided to fund a large block party in New York, inviting many music artists that he is friends with as well as many people from his home town in Ohio, as well as a number of people from the area that could get hold of a ticket. What occurred was a large gathering of people, documented by director Michel Gondry.
Not just about Chappelle's comedy. Not just about the concert music. Mainly about a lot of people getting together and having a good time together and it shows.
Towards the end Chappelle says that this was the best day of his career, and you can see that he's sincere. It is such a good movie in terms of having a group of people coming together and performing as friends as well as seeing an audience all standing together, in the rain no less, and having a great time, no fights or problems, just a fun concert with Dave Chappelle as the MC.
There are some very funny parts in between the acts involving little things Chapelle does to get the audience going. There are very good musical performances from the alternative hip-hop crowds that aren't the terrible pop-rap that is heard at all the parties, instead it's more meaningful and more quality beats.
The lineup is awesome for the right crowd: The Roots, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Erykah Badu, The Fugees, Jill Scott, Dead Prez and Kanye West. The idea is to have everyone enjoy it regardless of if hip-hop is there preference or not.
I also can't stress how nice it is just to see Chapelle interacting with various people. He's not turned on, he just acts like a regular guy who is just generally funny. Scenes cut in throughout, showing Dave practice in a studio with the backup band, making them laugh is just as much fun as the rest of the movie.
Quality film, one of my favorites from 2006.
Dave Chappelle: Bringing me to my next point, Comedians and Musicians are very much connected. Comedians think that they can sing, while musicians think they're funny. For example, Mos Def - funny guy, Jamie Foxx - talented piano player and singer. I'm mediocre at both and yet have managed to talk my way into a fortune.