Well, I actually have a couple of big things to say about the aftermath of the Oscars, but I have to save them for later. I said I was writing about this movie today, and Big Rell has already alerted his folks that I’d be writing about Chappelle. So I will.
I said it yesterday in the comments and I’ll say it again–go right now and see Chappelle’s Block Party. Fuck your job and your boss. Get up now and head to the theater.
First thing to understand going in–this isn’t a comedy. It’s a documentary of a concert hosted by a comedian. Don’t misunderstand–Dave’s pretty funny through most of the movie, but I wouldn’t go to see that looking for a yuckfest. Go see that movie if you’re a fan of hip hop or if you’ve never had the pleasure to see a concert featuring ?uestlove. ?uest still puts on the best live show in the business, and every act (save for Kweli) is known for doing a dope live show even without him. With him? You get some amazing arrangements of amazing songs done by two different amazing bands. More than once, I stood up and clapped.
And I don’t even like to stand up at basketball games. That’s how the music moved me in this one.
But this documentary may be one of the greatest clarifications on what Dave tries to do with his comedy. Like no one I can remember, Chappelle has done a fantastic job with his art of showing how remarkably similar people really are, even if they seem diametrically opposed. While much of Chappelle’s comedy is “black people do this, white people do this,” it’s done in a way that attempts to illustrate a commonality between human beings. Though we do what we do through cultural vehicles, people are pretty much the same across the bar. We’re all perpetually looking for ways to get by and all continually searching for a way to have a good time. That’s people in a nutshell. We can go deeper into the social constructs, biases, and barriers that make it difficult for us to get along and understand each other, but we’re all pretty simple when that stuff is removed from the equation.
Yes, I know that’s like saying water and Kool-Aid are the same if there’s no powder, but i think you get where I’m going.
To illustrate this, Dave just walked up and down the streets of Dayton, OH handing out free trips to his concert. If you wanted a ticket, he’d give you one. Didn’t matter if you were a teenaged black kid, the Central State band, or white women who I assumed were octogenerians. Who ever wanted to roll could roll.
And they all had a blast hanging out in Bed-Stuy listening to Kanye, Com, dead prez, Jilly from Philly, Erykah, the Roots, the Fugees, and others.
A good time’s a good time if you can chill out long enough to enjoy it.
Dave’s said before that’s how he sees the world and his work, so I’m not dropping rocket science. What hit me at the Block Party was just right he is in his belief in commonality. Being the music junkies we are, Aden, Pierce, and Tiffany stayed until the last credits ran.
And we weren’t the last people to leave.
The last people to leave were a pair of middle-aged ladies who stayed the whole way, nodded their heads and waving their hands for the entire movie. Right before we left, two almost-old folks got up and left.
I doubt it’s because those people just loved hip hop that much. I think it’s more that the film captured a helluva good time, and that carried over to the audience.
In the midst of all the controversy that surrounds Dave, I think that point gets lost. He’s got the greatest knack for identifying with people without compromising himself. If only more of us could find a way to do that.
So if you like great music, check it out. If you wanna see some really interesting human interaction, check it out. And if you wanna laugh, check it out. There are some scenarios that are almost too perfect to have been strictly unscripted nonfiction.
And if you see it and don’t like it, that’s okay. Not everyone’s blessed with good taste like I’ve got.
3 Comments
by George Kelly
I’ve still never seen “Chappelle’s Show.” It’ll be worth my time if it’s even half as deftly done as this movie. C. and I it saw Saturday afternoon. I want to try and see it at least a couple more times this month.
by Stephanie
Loved this film on sooo many levels. First off, I would argue that Dave is one of the smartest and funniest comedians working today. He makes what he does look and sound completely effortless, although what this film illustrates more than anything, is the extreme care with which he approaches his art. I loved him at the piano discussing Monk’s timing and drawing the parallel between musicians and comedians. On a personal note, Mos Def is one of the funniest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to be around. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in a room with the two of them. I too, was in the theater pumping my fist, singing along, and generally acting a fool. Loved the two dudes from Ohio and their golf story. Dave needs to sign them up. As a fan and former student of documentary filmmaking, Block Party can most certainly hold its own with the best of them. Loved that he had Lil Cease there to talk about Biggie & Junior Mafia, and the imprint that Bed Stuy has made on their art. Rumor has it that Jay Z was supposed to make an appearance that day, but had some scheduling problems. It is an absolute must see.
by Fenaba Rena
The documentary is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. Definitely intend to add it to my movie library when it’s released on DVD. I left the movie thinking to myself “How wonderful to see beautiful black talented (oh, so talented) artists performing their craft”. You cannot debate the talent of any act that perfomed from Dead Prez to Lauren to Kweli…and what about that brother in Junior’s restaurant? He was on point too! I might have to go see it again next weekend. That’s how good it is.
Another thing I particularly liked about the film was that Dave actually went into Brooklyn and spoke with folk who grew up there. I am from Brooklyn and have traveled all over the country and world, and don’t believe folks understand how small it really is. Yes, New York’s population is in the millions, but Brooklyn is residential. You go to school with the same folks and hang out on the block with the same folks your entire childhood. So when Lil’ Cease was describing how he grew up down the block from Kim and around the corner from B.I.G., it’s the truth. Man, I’m getting nostalgic right now. Anyway, I could go on and on. But, just want to emphasize as Bomani already has, go see the movie if you love hip-hop, great singing and comedy.