Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006)

92% of critics liked it
(124 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(94,589 ratings)

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… More 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 that provides not only a sampling of the music on display that September, but also an intimate look at the comedian himself. Gondry's cameras tag along with Chappelle as he visits Ohio, recruits a university marching band to play at the show, and surveys the opinions of Clinton Hill on the show that's about to take place. Along the way, we're introduced to some the comedian's favorite acts, in rehearsals and on-stage: Dead Prez, Jill Scott, Mos Def, the Roots, Erykah Badu, Kanye West, and the surprise reuniting of the Fugees. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Michel Gondry
Genres: Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 3, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Jun 13, 2006
Studio: Rogue Pictures

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I want to see another hour of Dave Chappelle's Block Party.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
A return to rowdy form.
David Hiltbrand, Philadelphia Inquirer
No one enjoys the free festivities more than Chappelle, who wanders through the film like a kid on Christmas morning. A very funny kid.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
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.
John Anderson, Newsday
Block Party makes for a transcendent experience.
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger
The music is angry and the jokes are raw but, ultimately, Block Party conveys a positive message to audiences. Instead of competition, we see collaboration between the artists and unity in the diverse crowd.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Gives off an inclusive hum
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Provocative documentary is for older teens and adults only.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Gondry brings a caught-on-the-fly style to the footage that nonetheless coheres into something that feels planned, or pre-ordained.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Dull and repetitive. Your own reaction to it will depend a lot on how well you like these particular artists performing in concert.
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
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.
Kam Williams, BlackFilm.com
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.
Ethan Alter, Film Journal International
It's no Last Waltz, but this crowd-pleasing concert film offers an entertaining mix of music and comedy.
Joe Utichi, FilmFocus
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.
Matthew Leyland, BBC
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.
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
As a comedy, it doesn't quite gel. As a musical it doesn't have much more luck, but as a showcase for Chappelle's talents, Block Party works just fine.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Aaron N

Dave Chappelle: This is the concert I always wanted to see! 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… More
Dave Chappelle: This is the concert I always wanted to see! 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.
Michael G

If you're watching it for Chappelle, don't bother. If you're watching it for some great hip hop, proceed.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Dave Chappelle's Block Party" is an entertaining concert film directed by Michel Gondry about comedian Dave Chappelle throwing a free block party and concert in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn on September 18, 2004, and inviting old… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Dave Chappelle's Block Party" is an entertaining concert film directed by Michel Gondry about comedian Dave Chappelle throwing a free block party and concert in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn on September 18, 2004, and inviting old friends and a college marching band from his hometown of Dayton, Ohio. Performers include Erykah Badu, Kanye West and the Fugees. Chappelle's intention is to give something back to the community while also bringing rap music to a broader audience.(It worked at least for this reviewer, who was also curious about Mos Def's rapping after seeing him act in a few movies. Look at it this way - I was planning on referencing Fleetwood Mac when discussing the marching band.) Throughout, Chappelle's engaging presence keeps things moving but the editing interrupts the flow often with too much time given to preparation and background. And the eccentric couple living in the abandoned building are interesting but not worth spending a great deal of time on and probably not representative of the neighborhood, anyway.[/font]
Jon O

A nice documentary for hip-hop fans. I, unforuntely, am not one.
MJS M

In an act of selfless goodness, Dave Chappelle used some of his Comedy Central paycheck to throw this block party, a concert featuring some of the biggest names in progressive hip-hop. In order to document the event he hired Michel Gondry to film his party. Choosing Michel Gondry to… More
In an act of selfless goodness, Dave Chappelle used some of his Comedy Central paycheck to throw this block party, a concert featuring some of the biggest names in progressive hip-hop. In order to document the event he hired Michel Gondry to film his party. Choosing Michel Gondry to make this was an absolutely inspired idea, his playful direction exactly matches Dave Chappelle?s personality on display here. The event was a great thing for everyone involved, the community was given a fun free event, the musicians were given well deserved attention, and Dave Chappelle was given a chance to show the world just how nice and likable he is. Gondry is filming a concert film, but there?s more going on than music here, he and Chappelle are emerged in the community at large. Here Chappelle seems like an amazingly pleasant person, he?s like a Willy Wonka (which is subtly referenced early on) giving people a fun experience and being a fun person at the same time. Those looking for wall to wall laughs from Chappelle will probably be disappointed but what is here is something just as special.
Nate H

Couldn't decide if it was a documentary on Dave or a concert film - should've been one of each.
Wu C

If you like live rap concerts. House of angels was cool though.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast
            
            Dave Chappelle
            
            Kanye West
            
            Mos Def
            
            Talib Kweli
            
            Common
            
            Dead Prez
            
            The Fugees
            
            Erykah Badu
            
            Jill Scott
            
            The Roots
            
            Mark Chesnutt
            
            Keyshia Cole
            
            Chairman Fred
            
            Fred Hampton Jr.
            
            Big Daddy Kane
            
            John Legend
            
            Martin Luther
            
            Pharoahe Monch
            
            Bilal
            
            Kool G. Rap
            
            Andre 4000
            
            Eugenia "China" Black as Back-up Vocals

            Keisha Williams as Back-up Vocals

            R.C. Williams as Keys

            Braylon Lacy as Bass

            Raphael Iglehart as Drums

            Eric Greene as Drums

            Burton Smith as Percussion

            DJ Dummy as DJ

            Stick Man as Dead Prez

            M-1 as Dead Prez

            Miamouna Youssef as Back-up Vocals

            Lauryn Hill as The Fugees

            Wyclef Jean as The Fugees

            Prakazrel "Pras" Michel as The Fugees

            Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis as The Fugees

            Donald Guillame as Drums

            Leon Higgins as DJ

            Greg "DJ Chaps" Dendy as DJ

            Tiffany Phinazee as Back-up Vocals

            Carla Duren as Back-up Vocals

            Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter as The Roots

            Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson as The Roots

            Leonard Nelson Hubbard as The Roots

            James Gray as The Roots

            Kirk "Make Your Body Work" Douglas as The Roots

            Frank "Knuckels" Walker as The Roots

            Peter Kuzma as Keys

            Dave Manly as Guitar

            Valvin Roane as Back-up Vocals

            Caroline Lee Johnson as Back-up Vocals

            Leonard Harris as Back-up Vocals

            Dexter Mills as Back-up Vocals

            DJ A Trak as DJ

            Adam Blackstone as Bass

            Omar Edwards as Keys

            Kevin Hanson as Guitar

            Norman Jeff Bradshaw as Trombone

            Matt Cappy as Trumpet

            Chris Farr as Saxophone

            James Poyser as Keys

            Don Moore as Bass

            Rudolph Walker as Drums

            Isaac Ben Ayala as Piano

            Craig Bailey as Saxophone

            Tyren De'Armond
            
            Jonathan Evans
            
            Nicole Marie Evans
            
            Alice Goguen
            
            Robin Grundy
            
            Mary Hall
            
            Lisa Harbison
            
            Anthony Jackson II
            
            Leann Javins
            
            Jeffrey A. Johnson
            
            Jamon Lewis
            
            Jonathan L. Lofton
            
            Montez Morton
            
            Craig Peterson
            
            Bobby Robbins
            
            David C. Roberts
            
            Elinor Rossi
            
            Jeffrey Tollette
            
            Doris Totty
            
            Jamila C. Totty
            
            Aaron Wallingford
            
            D.J. Wallingford
            
            Alphonso Washington
            
            Brian Milsapp
            
            Central State University Marching Band
            
            The Brooklyn Steppers as Bed-Stuy

            Luz Grice as Bed-Stuy

            Darren "Mr T." Hymes as Bed-Stuy

            Lil' Cease as Bed-Stuy

            Andrea Smith as Bed-Stuy

            Arthur Wood
            
            Cynthia Wood
            
            Cody Chestnutt
            
            Tiffany Limos
            
            Freeway
            
See full cast

Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Aaron N

Michael G

Walter M

Jon O

MJS M

Nate H

Wu C

Cast

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