Blast 'em

Rating:
Summary: NYC's tabloid paparazzi stalk their prey in the Big Apple
Review: This 1992 documentary on the life of New York City's tabloid paparazzi is a tad overlong, but there is something to be said for watching these vultures go after their victims. The dubious star of "Blast 'em" is photographer Victor Malafronte, who is the main target of the cameras of Canadian filmmakers Joseph Blasioli and Robert Garrard. You just cannot imagine why Madonna, Donald Trump and the rest of the rich and famous do not want to stop and have their picture taken by this wiry, profane (REALLY profane) freelancer. But neither traffic nor security guards nor their fellow shutterbugs shall keep the paparazzi from their self-appointed targets, and just in case you were feeling any sympathy for Malafronte and his ilk, he wants to get pictures of Michael J. Fox, his wife and new baby and there is no length to how far he will go to stalk his prey. This documentary also talks to Ron Galella, infamous for stalking Jackie Kennedy O'Nassis and an Italian photograph who was assaulted by actress Anita Ekberg (you GO girl!). Oh, and Malafronte reflects on his greatest moment, when he snapped the last photo of Greta Garbo before she died. "Blast 'em" is fascinating, but you will probably want to take a shower after watching it.