Review: There is always a habit by documentary film watchers (and especially critics of the genre) to pull cinematic prose out of feature length fluff. The documentary genre is, in most people’s eyes, the genre where creative gods and goddesses can dabble in experimental theory or where think tanks turn persuasive essays into visual theory. Fun, is not usually word associated with it- unless it’s the sort of fun you encounter while mocking someone of an opposite belief. Block Party, however, pleasantly contradicts such claims. Dave Chappelle is, in short, having fun and he’s not afraid to admit anything else. And ultimately, that is all Block Party is. It’s a very fun, entertaining 2 hours- perfect for recovering from a hangover, regrouping after a major test or any other point in time where ‘mindless’ and ‘lighthearted’ are your two main requirements from a film. Now, most of you may take that review as a ‘feel free to skip’ indictment, but it certainly is not. This is exactly the type of documentary I like to point out to no-reality film watchers as justification for entering my little niche-film world. It doesn’t set out to be anything other than entertaining and it exceeds on every level. And the entertainment is not just comedy. Block Party is a non-linear film based totally around the musical performances of the all day event Dave Chappelle sponsored in New York. Chappelle calls the concert “the concert (he) always wanted to see,” and I have to admit this is one of the best combinations of hip-hop artists in recent history. So, even if you aren’t a fan of humor, you will definitely appreciate the on-stage talents here. The biggest surprise you’ll notice is that Michel Gondry is the director behind the whole project. It’s hard to imagine the man behind such creative films as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Be Kind Rewind and numerous music videos being a part of such a technically basic documentary. With Gondry, I expect something unique or interesting with the filmmaking to stick out in my mind. Instead, I found Block Party to be a very solid, but otherwise basic work from the director. Then again, as a critic, I’m required to nit-pick and, as I said before, the entire project set out simply to entertain. Block Party is one of those films where, as a critic, I am unable to consider it anything better then average. This won’t be a film placed in the National Archives to be remembered and cherished for all time for its methods or message, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fully enjoy this combination of Chappelle and his musical posse. If you need a good escape, this is the perfect documentary for you. Review by Matthew Abshire Informative: 3- this is a film made so you can have a good mindless laugh, nothing more Entertainment: 4- it stars Dave Chappelle, so you know you’ll enjoy yourself Technical: 3- surprisingly basic work from wildly imaginative Michael Gondry Overall: 3- it’s fun, a whole lot of fun, but it’s nothing special
 
Format: DVD Year: 2006 Running Time: 111 Min Distributor: Focus Features and Rogue Pictures Producer: Dave Chappelle Director: Michael Gondry Date Reviewed: 12-13-2008 Story: Comedian extraordinaire Dave Chappelle hosts this remarkable block party shot in Brooklyn, N.Y., featuring performances by Kanye West, Mos Def and many others. Neighbors and friends are treated to Chappelle's freshest comedy bits, and the whole block gets up and grooves to the live sounds of Talib Kweli, Common, Dead Prez, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, The Roots, Cody Chesnutt, Big Daddy Kane and the reunited Fugees (NetFlix).