Directed and shot by Herve Martin-Delpierre and written by Martin-Depierre and Marina Rozenman, Daft Punk Unchained is a documentary about the seminal French electronic duo who are considered the forefathers of the modern wave of electronic dance music. From the band’s early years as part of the alternative band Darlin’ to becoming icons in electronic music, the film doesn’t just play into their work as artists but also maintain a sense of mystique about them as they rarely do interviews as well as not make any kind of public appearances unless they’re wearing costumes as robots. The result is a fascinating film about one of the finest groups to ever come out in the world of electronic music.
From their formation in 1993 after being part of the French alternative rock group Darlin’ with future Phoenix-cofounder Laurent Brancowitz, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo would form the duo known as Daft Punk based on a review for their band as well as going to raves which were hot in those times. The film plays into not just their early beginnings but also the sense of mystique that has loomed over the band ever since the late 1990s where they started wearing masks and such to avoid what is typical of promotion in those days. On the first day of the new Millennium, the two would wear masks and such claiming they have become robots as it only increased their mystique even more as well as being more inaccessible to the press where they’re rarely seen unmasked.
Featuring interviews with collaborators such as Kanye West, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Williams, Nile Rodgers, Pharrell Williams, and filmmaker Michel Gondry. The film plays into not just their influence but also the albums they made and why they didn’t want to play by the rules with the industry. While they would use videos to promote their music, it would be their legendary performance at the 2006 Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California that would make them a very popular live act. The film also features rare audio interviews with Daft Punk that only adds more to their mystique. Director Herve Martin-Delpierre would also compile many rare archival interviews with the group before their decision to mask themselves as well as play into many of the stunts and such that played into their music and how they presented it.
Especially as prominent EDM figures such as Pete Tong and current EDM star Skrillex reveal exactly what Daft Punk has done for the genre. Through some stylish editing and the usage of music that had influenced Daft Punk including film footage from Brian de Palma’s Phantom of the Paradise. While many who talk about Daft Punk revel into their importance, it all plays into what the group is really about which is making good music and making it matter no matter if it’s retro or innovative.
Daft Punk Unchained is an excellent film from Herve Martin-Delpierre. Not only is it a film that fans of the group will enjoy but also will introduce those unfamiliar with electronic music the group’s importance for the genre. In the end, Daft Punk Unchained is a superb film from Herve Martin-Delpierre.
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Michel Gondry and written and starring Dave Chappelle, Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is a documentary in which the comedian holds a block party in Brooklyn as it would feature a concert with several acts in R&B and hip-hop. The film would also showcase the stress that Chappelle was going through that would lead to the end of highly-revered comedy show in late 2004. Featuring performances by the Fugees, the Roots, Jill Scott, Kanye West, Mos Def, and Erykah Badu. The result is a fun and exciting documentary from Michel Gondry and Dave Chappelle.
On September 18, 2004, Dave Chappelle organized a block party in Brooklyn that would be a concert for the people not just from Brooklyn but also from his hometown of Dayton, Ohio whom he personally invited. Throughout the film, Chappelle expresses his love for Dayton and his locals who treat him like he’s one of their own and not think about him as the comedian that’s famous for. Among the people he brought in from Dayton is the Central State University Marching Band as they would perform with Kanye West at the show where Chappelle would converse with acts like the Roots, Dead Prez, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and several others about music and art. The film would also include a one-off reunion from the Fugees that was the big surprise of the concert.
Through Michel Gondry’s very simple and engaging direction as it’s shot in 16mm film blown-up to 35mm where Gondry gets the chance to keep things lively as Chappelle seems relaxed throughout the shoot. Even as he talks about his frustrations with fame and some of the expectations he’s had as a comedy as it relates to the comedy show and big money deal that he would later walk away from some time later after the concert was filmed. Gondry would also have Chappelle converse with the locals in Brooklyn where they get a chance to speak about their views on the world where a lot of it is very light-hearted and humorous. Even as a couple who lives in a nearby church admit they’re not into hip-hop yet did manage to have fun at the show.
It’s apparent that the film is inspired by the 1973 concert documentary Wattstax in terms of its presentation and moving back-and-forth from the concert performances and interactions with the people in Brooklyn and Dayton. With the help of Ellen Kuras’ colorful cinematography, the stylized editing of Sarah Flack, Jeff Buchanan, and Jamie Kirkpatrick, and the sound editing of David F. Van Syke, the film has a very vibrant and crisp look that does play to the film’s simplicity while the concert performances from the act is always exciting and fun where it’s shot on the stage and where the audience is at. With additional help from production designer Laura Faggioni, art director Pete Zumba, and costume designer Whitney Kyles for the look of the stage and the clothes some of the performers wear. There’s a realness to the story as well in the performances where none of it feels boring as the music is a major highlight of the film that features some contributions from music supervisor Corey Smyth.
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is an excellent concert documentary from Michel Gondry. It’s a film that is a very enjoyable one where it has some good tunes from the artists performing as well as some funny jokes from Dave Chappelle. Even as it’s a very positive film where it’s more about having fun and creating a community through music, art, and comedy. In the end, Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is a extraordinary film from Michel Gondry.
Michel Gondry Films: Human Nature - Etneral Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - The Science of Sleep - Be Kind Rewind - Tokyo!-Interior Design - (The Thorn in the Heart) - The Green Hornet - The We & the I - Mood Indigo - (Is the Man Who is Tall Happy?) - (Microbe & Gasoline)
© thevoid99 2014
Directed by Spike Lee, Bad 25 is the story about the making of Michael Jackson’s 1987 album and its impact on the world of pop music where many artists past and present discuss Jackson’s legacy and the album that dared to follow-up his mega-selling 1982 album Thriller. The result is a fascinating and enjoyable documentary from Spike Lee.
The film is essentially the story of Michael Jackson’s goals for Bad and the making of the album and music videos that went along for the album. Through many associates of Michael Jackson including bodyguard/confidant Miko Brando and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, the people discuss about what Jackson wanted to do as well as the fact that he wanted to reach new standards for himself as an artist and performer. While a few songs from the album don’t get profiled like Speed Demon and Just Good Friends, the rest of the album does get talked about. Along with commentaries from other artists like Mariah Carey and Kanye West and journalist Nelson George, they all discuss the brilliance of each song as well as some of the music videos.
The film also features rare footage of the making of those videos including the title track that was directed by Martin Scorsese. Scorese and his longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker discuss the video as they’re remastering it for the upcoming Bad 25 DVD release. The footage also includes some rare making of footage that includes Wesley Snipes who was making his acting debut at the time. Other stories include the fact that the song I Just Can’t Stop Loving You was originally supposed to be a duet between Jackson and Whitney Houston. Yet, Houston’s label didn’t want her to do it in fear of overexposure where Siedah Garrett ended up co-singing it with Jackson based on the demo she was singing on.
Spike Lee brings a lot of moments where many of the people who are interviewed are relaxed and provide a few funny commentaries. Also included are voice-overs from Quincy Jones and rare interviews from Jackson during the promotional period for the album. Lee also reveals how many of the dances from those videos were made through the help of choreographer Jeffrey Daniel whom Jackson had known in the 70s as Daniel was a dancer for Soul Train. With some wonderful editing by Barry Alexander Brown who helps fuses a lot of the rare footage with the commentaries made by the people in the interview. It helps tell the story as Lee manages to keep things in tact. The only few flaws in the film do come late when Jackson’s death is discussed along with the appearance of Chris Brown whose immature and thuggish presence was just unnecessary for the film.
Bad 25 is an excellent TV documentary from Spike Lee about Michael Jackson’s Bad. It’s a documentary that not only captures the brilliance of the album but also indicate many of the reasons into why Jackson is so missed. Despite a few flaws in the documentary, it is still engaging for the way it reveal why people love Jackson and this album as well as the fact that it is still a timeless record 25 years since it was release. In the end, Bad 25 is a wonderful tribute to Michael Jackson from Spike Lee.
Spike Lee Films: (She’s Gotta Have It) - (School Daze) - Do the Right Thing - Mo' Better Blues - Jungle Fever - (Malcolm X) - Crooklyn - (Clockers) - (Girl 6) - (Get On the Bus) - 4 Little Girls - (He Got Game) - Freak - Summer of Sam - (The Original Kings of Comedy) - (Bamboozled) - (A Huey P. Newton Story) - 25th Hour - (Jim Brown: All-American) - (She Hate Me) - (Inside Man) - (When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts) - (Miracle at St. Anna) - (Kobe Doin’ Work) - (Passing Strange) - (If God is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise) - (Red Hook Summer) - Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth - (Oldboy (2013 film)) - (Da Blood of Jesus) - (Chi Raq) - Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall - BlacKkKlansman - Da 5 Bloods - (American Utopia)
© thevoid99 2012
