TORONTO — In what Western media have dubbed as a stunning reversal of fortune for Ukraine’s pro-democratic Orange Revolution of 2004, the former pro-Russian adversary was officially declared on Sunday the winner of this month’s presidential elections. Viktor Yanukovych, the former Soviet apparatchik who was cast aside by the international community after Ukraine’s Supreme Court [...]
The Marathon Through a Lens
April 22, 2009 Leave a Comment
With this photo essay from the 2009 Boston Marathon, Blast begins a regular photo feature from contributing editor Daniel Peleschuk
Crisis in Georgia
Aug. 10, 2008 1 Comment
KYIV, Ukraine — In a brazen maneuver that has ignited an international military conflict, Russia late last week sent 150 tanks over its border into neighboring Georgia’s separatist territory of South Ossetia, prompting Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili to declare a 15-day state of war with Russia. [...]
The business of art, and the art of business
March 3, 2008 2 Comments
An interview with art gallery-owner Colin Rhys about his life and trade.
Commentary: What the Oscars SHOULD look like
Feb. 24, 2008 Leave a Comment
February 24th is here. This year, the Academy Awards are celebrating their 80th season of turning a blind eye to the deserving films and, well, awarding the lame-os. And although he’s still considered the barometer for film quality standards, Oscar will surely be back this year with his latest disappointments, when he’ll send those “should-have-beens” [...]
Norman Mailer, 1923-2007
Nov. 10, 2007 Leave a Comment
Norman Mailer, arguably the most critical and influential literary figure of the 20th century, died today of renal failure. He was 84. Throughout the course of his illustrious career, Mailer was twice awarded the Pulitzer Prize, and won the National Book Award. His flair and demeanor cemented him as one of the most celebrated authors [...]
Ingmar Bergman, Master Filmmaker, 1918-2007
Aug. 1, 2007 Leave a Comment
Ingmar Bergman, modern cinema’s most masterful screenwriter and director, died peacefully in his sleep on July 30. He was 89. Although widely unknown to younger film-viewing generations, Bergman’s films were hailed by peers and critics alike as some of the most artful and genius work to have ever been recorded on film. His repertoire of [...]
Simpsons movie promo turns you yellow
July 21, 2007 Leave a Comment
You can just feel that yellow-hot heat coming around the corner, right down Evergreen Terrace. The Simpsons Movie is fast-approaching, and you’d better be ready for an all-out onslaught of unbearably cheesy gimmicks. This is just another one of them. Simpsonizeme.com, a site recently birthed by Fox and Burger King, allows curious visitors–those with tons [...]
Remembering Liz Claiborne
July 2, 2007 Leave a Comment
Liz Claiborne, one of the most prominent and accomplished fashion icons of the 20th century, died June 26th after a 10-year battle with a rare form of cancer. She was 78. Claiborne left behind a legacy that includes the multi-billion dollar Liz Claiborne Inc., one of the most successful and recognized fashion companies in the [...]
Robert Earl Couture
June 1, 2007 Leave a Comment
If you ever need any career advice, look no further than to Robert Earl. His words? “Just go for it, man.” The 38-year-old former TV personality recently kicked off his very own clothing line, Robert Earl Couture, based in La Jolla, Calif., under that very motto. Robert Earl Couture is—now, at least—a line of limited [...]
Polizei 144 European racing jackets
May 1, 2007 1 Comment
The wild road rage of the Gumball 3000 road rally has zipped into the fashion world. Seven-time Gumball 3000 champion, Alexander Roy, has launched a new line of European racing-inspired jackets fit for those of us who can’t stomach the action of an intercontinental rally race but want the look of one. The jackets are [...]
David Halberstam, 1934-2007
May 1, 2007 Leave a Comment
David Halberstam, one of the most well-respected and influential journalists of the 20th century, died on April 23. He was 73. Mr. Halberstam was best known for his reporting on the Vietnam War for the New York Times, as well as the extraordinarily well-received books he wrote, including The Best and the Brightest and The [...]
Josh Wolf: Free.
May 1, 2007 Leave a Comment
Big news for journalists, both citizens and staffers: On April 3, just two days after a Blast Magazine article profiling his incarceration and amongst growing pressure from all around, San Francisco-based journalist, Josh Wolf, was released from federal prison after spending 226 days in incarceration for refusing to testify about an anarchist demonstration he covered. [...]
The Pursuit of Happyness
April 1, 2007 Leave a Comment
One of Sony Pictures’ latest releases on DVD and Blu-Ray is “The Pursuit of Happyness,” released on March 27. The film features Academy Award nominee Will Smith playing real-life stock broker Chris Gardner in a heartwarming story of a single father defying the odds and raising a son by himself under the toughest of financial [...]
The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
April 1, 2007 Leave a Comment
Any serious music buff will tell you that a band’s second album is a make or break-type deal, especially if that band’s first release amassed enormous amounts of critical and commercial acclaim. In the case of the Arcade Fire, I think it’s safe to say that their sophomore effort, Neon Bible, will make–or rather continue [...]
24 Hours on Craigslist
March 1, 2007 Leave a Comment
Just when I thought I was a bit off-tilt for buying a bundle of old Sega Genesis games off Craigslist, in comes 24 Hours on Craigslist on DVD. I feel relatively ordinary now. Throughout the 80-minute film, the viewer is exposed to the hilariously unfortunate, true stories of a drag queen searching for a Led [...]