Monthly Archives: September 2015

“I Have To Be Fearless In Showing What I Feel In The Moment:” A TDQ Q&A With Actress Shonna Major

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Shonna Major

Shonna Major in a scene from Clinger with a gift basket. Gift baskets are a great way to show appreciation. (Our mailing address is on the “About” page. Make sure they can deliver to a PO box.)

This week’s TDQ Q&A is with actress Shonna Major. Shonna spoke to us about working for her Masters degree, her latest movie, “Clinger” and how going gluten-free isn’t for her. Here is this week’s TDQ Q&A with Shonna Major:

The Daily Quarterly: What made you want to be in show business?

Shonna Major: I always loved performing. I started performing in school plays and dance recitals when I was really young. I just enjoyed doing it. As I got older and experienced more emotional hardships, I would turn to my favorite TV show or watch a movie to escape. And I realized that’s what I wanted to do: help people escape their reality for a little.

TDQ: Who was your favorite actress growing up?

SM: I loved Halle Berry. I thought she was gorgeous and talented and someone I could relate to. I also loved Lucy Lawless because I was obsessed with Xena.

Shonna Major

Shonna Major, left, with the good book and Jennifer Laporte in Clinger.

TDQ: What was your favorite movie growing up?

SM: I grew up watching Robin Williams. I could recite Mrs. Doubtfire and Hook word for word when I was younger. My friends probably thought I was so weird.

TDQ: What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?

SM: Acting coach Andrew Benne always had great advice. One that stuck was to let go of my “control freak” nature and just be. I have to be fearless in showing what I feel in the moment. I think that resonated with me because it’s not just great acting advice but something I try and do on a daily basis.

TDQ: What’s the worst advice you’ve gotten?

SM: “You should try the gluten-free diet.”
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“I See As A Calling To Be In This Business:” A Q&A With Actor Darius Cottrell

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Darius Cottrell

Darius Cottrell makes his stance on cancer known. All we’re saying is that cancer better watch its back. You’re on notice, cancer!

This week’s TDQ Q&A is with actor and former Marine Darius Cottrell. Darius spoke to us about his upcoming film with Eddie Murphy, his work on “Agents of Shield” and what serving his country taught him about acting. Here is this week’s TDQ Q&A with Darius Cottrell:

The Daily Quarterly: What made you want to be in show business?

Darius Cottrell: Some careers you are drawn to and some career draw you to it. I have always been drawn to the business from the time I was ten. When I was in in the Marines. I actually got caught up with my military career but something in me wouldn’t let me stay in the military. Then, I was coming to the end of my contract as a Marine. I just felt the business drawing me to it near the end of my military career. So, I see as a calling to be in this business.

TDQ: Who was your favorite actor growing up?

DC: I love a lot of different actors. I love Sidney Poitier, Gene Wilder, James Stewart and many more. But, my favorites are Bruce Lee and Clint Eastwood because growing up, I just loved their movies.

TDQ: What was your favorite movie growing up?

DC: Aw man, I love “History of the World Part 1”, all of the “Rocky” movies, “Blazing Saddles,” “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” “Enter the Dragon” and so many others. But, my favorite, that I still watch every year today is “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

TDQ: What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?

DC: Guy Torry told me once that “My day is just a day away!” The funny thing about that is I didn’t get it right away. But, I reflect on that from time to time. Because it simply means don’t give up because your big break might be the next day. But, you wouldn’t reach it if you stop.

TDQ: What’s the worst advice you’ve gotten?

DC: Don’t become actor! The people that told me that, at the time, hadn’t seen me perform. But, they were telling me that because they thought that there was no money in being an actor.

TDQ: Who are your influences?

DC: My influences are God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and of course, my wife.

TDQ: What can you tell us about your upcoming work on “Agents of Shield” and Eddie Murphy’s new movie, Henry Joseph Church?

DC: I really can’t talk much about either one because these days everyone wants to keep things on the hush, hush. But, “Agents of Shield’s” new season is going to start with a bang and keep you on that ride all season. As for Eddie’s new movie, I think it’s going to be one of those heartfelt, tug at your heart, emotional films. I think the audience will love this one. Because it’s a different Eddie film that people are used to seeing.
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Karlsfield City Official Apologies As Ordered To By Judge

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Liechtenstein Gazette Online

In the mid 1990’s, at the height of popularity of “America Online” Liechtenstein took things a little too literally and digitized their entire government including their law gazette in a project called “Liechtenstein Online” or LOL for short.

Karlsfield, VT—Karlsfield City Manger Kevin Miles is certainly a stickler for details. After recently being ordered by County Court Judge Wilber Wainwright to apologize in writing for calling the judge “a backwater Ivy-League wannabe” at a City Council meeting.

“There is no place in this court, or any other court for that matter, for wanton disrespect for judicial robes,” Wainwright wrote in his ruling.

Miles was forthrightly ordered to apologize in writing “in a local instrument.”

And that’s just what Miles did, according to his legal representative, resident legal expert and local Dairy Queen owner Dwayne Holcomb.

“Mr. Miles did exactly and precisely, to the letter of the law, what the judge so blatantly sentenced him to do,” Holcomb said. “It is indeed written in a local instrument, The Lichtenstein Gazette.”

Holcomb said he read and re-read the judgment nearly twice to ensure his client was in compliance. “The fact that it is not locally in the state of Vermont, that was not a requirement. Just read the ultimatum. Nowhere is the city or state named as part of this wholly unjust verdict.”

Holcomb continued, defiantly, “Look, if ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, can make an apology for something at two in the morning for something that happened during the last 10 years, what’s the big deal here? All the judge has to do is subscribe to The Gazette using the Lichtenstein currency exchange, and he’s golden. This isn’t ‘Deflategate, for Heaven’s sake.”

“Things Change And The Tables Turn:” A TDQ Q&A With Rapper And Hip Hop Artist Johnny Active

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Johnny Active

Johnny Active in a moment of idle.

This week we chat with Canadian rapper and hip hop artist Johnny Active. Johnny spoke to us about how he got into show business, who influences him and hit latest single, “Guest List.” Here is this week’s TDQ Q&A with Johnny Active:

The Daily Quarterly: What made you want to be in show business?

Johnny Active: I don’t think I consciously wanted to be in show business. I was a super shy kid growing up. But around 10 years old I started making music and I think that sort of helped me come into my own, gain confidence in myself. I think I just really liked making music and suddenly had an urge to perform in any capacity. It all happened organically really.

TDQ: Who was your favorite musician growing up?

JA: We listened to a lot of Bob Marley and Michael Jackson and Elton John in my house growing up. Any of those. When I first got into hip-hop my favorites became Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre and Biggie.

TDQ: What was your favorite album growing up?

JA: I think my favorite album is “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” by 50 Cent. It came out when I was 10 years old. I can still remember going to the store and buying it. I bought the clean version by accident. and I learned every word to every song immediately. It’s just so raw and real. You can hear his hunger and drive. I had the poster on my wall.

TDQ: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

JA: Keep going.

TDQ: What’s the worst advice you’ve ever gotten?

JA: “So, what’s your back up plan?”

TDQ: Who are your influences?

JA: Dr. Dre, Eminem, Drake, Kendrick, Kanye, J. Cole, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Red Hot Chili Peppers…I could go on forever. There’s so many artists I take inspiration from.

Johnny Active

Johnny Active at a show about to bust some flow. (Or, maybe, just after? It is tough finding audio cues in a photo!)

TDQ: Tell us about your single, “Guest List”…

JA: It’s an anthem for the kids who were once laughed at, but who are now on top and killing it. Things change and the tables turn. It was also the first original joint I made with my producer Andrew Triple A. I’m really excited about this song. I promise it’s lit.

TDQ: What project are you currently working on?

JA: More remixes and videos. And a new yet-to-be-titled- EP.

TDQ: Quick: Kardinal Offishall or Drake?

JA: Drizzy.

TDQ: Where do you see yourself in five years?

JA: On the road selling out arenas.

Learn more about Johnny at his website. And be sure to Like his page and follow Johnny on . Continue reading →

Creepy Movie Director Man Wes Craven Dies

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Wes Craven

Wes Craven, left, on the set of Deadly Blessing with Ernest Borgnine, center, and Brian DiMaio, right on that fateful day when it was revealed DiMaio was Borgnines’s stunt double not vice versa.

Los Angeles—Prolific horror film director, producer and writer Wes Craven died Sunday at his home after battling brain cancer and a masked serial killer with a knife, hockey mask and a razor claw glove thing. He was 76.

Most famous for creating the iconic Freddy Krueger character and the “Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise, Craven also was responsible for the “Scream” series.

Besides those films, Craven also produced or directed both versions of “The Last House on the Left,” “The Serpent and the Rainbow,” “RECOiL” and “The Hills Have Eyes.”

He is survived by his third wife, Iya Labunka, his son Jonathan, his daughter Jessica and two grandchildren. Continue reading →