How did you become interested in the entertainment industry and what steps did you take to get involved?

My passion for entertainment started at an early age when my father began showing me some of his favourite films and this helped to nurture my love and fascination of movies, TV, music, books and pop culture. I didn’t have a clear vision of a future in broadcasting but I distinctly remember always loving performing in front of people and making speeches at a young age.

How would you sum up what you do as a film critic and television personality? What’s a typical work day like for you?

My typical work day consists of combing the social media networks to find breaking and developing stories in the film and TV world as well as funny bits that allow for ‘water cooler’ chat topic moments. As a movie critic I have the distinct opportunity to see several new release films each week for my various Friday review segments on TV and radio; this can be exciting and exhausting given the varying degrees of quality movies these days.

What’s the biggest misconception about film critics?

Many people tend to think film critics can’t have guilty pleasures, as in film’s they aren’t afraid to admit they liked but are generally panned in the critical universe. I embrace all my guilty pleasure movies and as long as a movie critic can back up their opinions there can never be a right or wrong answer. We aren’t always in the mood to watch Citizen Kane but sometimes a situation just calls for a clichéd Nicholas Sparks romantic drama!

How would you sum up the films of 2014 so far?

Big awards contenders tend to get release dates late in the year so they are fresh in the minds of the voting bodies but I was surprised at the calibre of some of 2014’s blockbusters including The Lego Movie and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Other notable titles include: Under the Skin, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Gone Girl and Foxcatcher but my favourite so far has to be the jazz drummer ‘thriller’ Whiplash with J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller… with Richard Linklater’s masterpiece Boyhood a close second.

In your opinion, what are three elements that every film needs to be effective?

Original story, engaging characters and a unique visual aesthetic.

What is the current state of the Canadian film industry from your perspective and how can it be improved?

The Canadian film industry continues to grow exponentially by cultivating homegrown talent and launching careers of men and women in every facet of film and TV production. The vast number of projects shooting in Vancouver alone on any given day is a testament to how strong the current industry is in our country.

What is one of the most memorable moments of your career so far?

Celebrity interviews are always a treat and some of my favourites have been Spinal Tap, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, Michael Buble, Chris Cornell, Alice Cooper and the cast of Fringe for the series finale. I also had the pleasure of interviewing my ultimate crush Dame Helen Mirren via satellite and covering the 2009 Juno Awards in Vancouver was… well… quite the party.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a film critic?

Always stand by your convictions, back up your opinions with thoughtful analysis and try to see as many films as you can, good or bad!

What books have been influential to you in becoming a film critic?

Roger Ebert’s poignant memoir Life Itself is a must-read and I always enjoyed Leonard Maltin’s annual Movie Guide (his latest edition will be the last one unfortunately). Also, John Carter and the Gods of Hollywood by Michael D. Sellers is a fascinating look at the risks in today’s big studio ‘tentpole’ era of filmmaking and the current movie marketing landscape.

Where can we find out more about you and keep up with your current and future projects?

You can watch my entertainment reports weekdays and movie reviews Fridays on City’s Breakfast Television in Vancouver between 5:30am and 9am, listen for my reviews on News1130 radio or check me out on Twitter: @thordiakow

The post The Biz Interview: Thor Diakow of Breakfast Television appeared first on Biz Books.

We spoke with Jim Gordon about his love of film and his experience in entertainment.

How did you become interested in the entertainment industry and what steps did you take to get involved?

I became interested at a very young age, developing a love of movies thanks to my wonderful mother. When I was a kid, it was sports, movies and wanting to be a radio DJ. I got a TV/film review column in the local newspaper by the time I was 17 and also got involved in TV and radio, and DJ’ing in bars. I studied Film at the University of Waterloo, and along with my cousin, made a movie that was broadcast locally. That led to a 4 movie deal with a small movie company in Toronto after university. It was a great first break, and I loved it, but I kept doing film reviews as well.

How would you sum up what you do as a film critic and television personality? What’s a typical work day like for you?

As a film critic on CTV, my job is to convey my thoughts and opinions as quickly and succinctly as possible. I try to cover a wide variety of films/DVDs each week so there’s hopefully something for everyone. With our TV show, The Travel Guys, our approach over the last 11 years has been very similar in that we cover a destination with insight, information, and humour, hopefully giving the viewer a sense of what it’s like. As for a typical day, it varies, depending on what “hat” I’m wearing that day.

What’s the biggest misconception about film critics?

I’m not sure, maybe that we don’t like mainstream movies, which is not the case.

How would you sum up the films of 2014 so far?

I think it’s been pretty good overall. There have been some wonderful films this year from the Hollywood, as well as documentaries, independent and foreign films. I loved Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, and Philip Seymour Hoffman reminded me of all the great performances we’ll never see in one of his last films, the old school spy thriller A Most Wanted Man. The Lunchbox from India is certainly worth seeing, and though I’m so tired of anything with a vampire, Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston were superb in Only Lovers Left Alive. I’ve also enjoyed Birdman with Michael Keaton, Foxcatcher with Steve Carell and The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch.

In your opinion, what are three elements that every film needs to be effective?

A well-written story, interesting characters, and solid acting.

What are your favourite movies?

My favourite movie is The Americanization of Emily (1964), with James Garner and Julie Andrews. It’s an anti-war, romantic drama set during the days leading up to D-Day. It was brilliantly written by the master, Paddy Chayefsky, who also wrote Marty (1955) and the prophetic film about the decline of TV called Network (1976). I also love Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960), and The Counterfeit Traitor (1962) which stars my all-time favourite actor, William Holden.

How about some memorable moments in your career so far?

As a film critic I’ve been very fortunate to have interviewed some well-known people in the business, Helen Mirren and Clint Eastwood rank up there. And Jeff Bridges was such a nice guy, really cool, the dude. But I’ll never forget the time years ago when and I saw Marcello Mastroianni in a Toronto hotel lobby, it took all my nerve to go over and shake his hand but I’m glad I did. He was the epitome of elegance and grace.

Co-hosting a travel show, there have been a number of highlights, but watching locals in Northern Malaysia bet on coconut-plucking, tree monkeys would rank up there.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a film critic?

See a wide variety of film. Read other critics (Time Magazine’s Richard Corliss is among my favourites). Write what you see and post it.

What books have been influential to you in becoming a film critic?

I’ve read so many great books on directors, writers and actors, but those which come to mind are screenwriting books by Syd Field, Hitchcock: The Definitive Study – Francois Truffaut’s book of conversations with Alfred Hitchcock, David Mamet’s Writing in Restaurants, and not too long ago I read the 2001 bio on film/theatre critic, Kenneth Tynan, and Todd McCartney’s 1997 bio on director Howard Hawks.

Where can we find out more about you and keep up with your current and future projects?

Thanks for asking. My film review segments air on CTV every Friday on the morning, noon, and 5pm News shows. You can also find other reviews/interviews at gastowngazette.com and prevailprevail.com.

The Travel Guys airs weekly on SHAW TV, CHEK TV, and NOVUS TV. You can also find me at travelguystv.com and @travelguystv & @jimctvmovies.

The post The Biz Interview: Jim Gordon of CTV and The Travel Guys appeared first on Biz Books.