2006 Goaties: Best Documentary

Carried along by Michel Gondry's direction, Ellen Kuras's instinctive camera work, and the crackerjack editing, Dave Chappelle's Block Party flits about in time, following the planning and execution of a New York block party hosted by Dave Chappelle. Several of the segues between rehearsals and live performances gave me pleasant shivers, while the film's forays into Chappelle's home turf in Ohio and its exploration of the very different Bed-Stuy setting for the concert are sometimes giddy, sometimes surprisingly introspective. A friend said it felt like Dave Chappelle was running for office, and I suppose that's correct, but that office is "nice and approachable guy who hasn't been changed by his huge $50 million contract," a motivation for the block party that the film digs into without calling undue attention to it.

And then there's the music. I've already discussed Kanye West's fabulous entry and the magnificent rush of the reunited Fugees, but everybody, from Mos Def and Talib Kweli (not sure if they were performing as Black Star or not, but they were on fire) to Erykah Badu, gave inspired performances.

Sure, it's not a traditional documentary, as it "documents" something that probably wouldn't have happened if not for the prospect of documenting it, but some documentaries exercise the same kind of control (he rationalized), and it's much more than just a concert film, so I say it counts. And besides, it's great fun.