Charlene Badasie

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Charlene Badasie

Freelance Writer / Journalist • Copywriter • Copy Editor • Social Media Strategist • Marketing Strategist • Brand Development • Marketing Writer • Ghostwriter.

Bylines: Glamour, GQ, HuffPost, Thrive Global & Backstage with Jon Bon Jovi

Writer at Fortress of Solitude
Copywriter at Digital School of Marketing & Trifocus Fitness Academy

Confessions That Can Get Your Movie Card Revoked

Social media platforms and pop culture forums have made it virtually impossible for anyone to have a differing opinion about a movie, television show, or fictional character. Openly express criticism of a popular movie and your timeline will be flooded with comments from strangers telling you why you’re wrong, or even stupid for not liking Movie X,Y or Z. The argument usually escalates quickly, with your personal taste being equated with sexism, racism, bigotry, or whatever other terrible insult they have at the ready. In reality, this is a false equivalency. A difference of opinion about something (in the grand scheme of things) as insignificant as a movie really shouldn’t be just cause for online harassment or bullying. So in the spirit of everyone being different but equally awesome, here’s a list of relatively unpopular opinions about some of the most famous movies in recent years that would probably get my movie card revoked.
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Fortress of Solitude •

Actor Sam Myerson Uses Social Media As His Own Comedy Sketch Show

With the entertainment industry in disarray due to the global pandemic, a lot of actors have had to find more creative ways of doing what they love. Although lots of famous folks use social media to keep their fans entertained, indie film star Sam Myerson has taken it to the next level. The California native, who’s tirelessly worked to make a name for himself in Hollywood, is using his social media platforms to promote his own comedy sketches. His skits are a brilliant mix of current and classic humour, reminiscent of Jerry Seinfeld’s observational comedy.
Fortress of Solitude •

Is Metacritic’s New Review Decision Leaning Towards Censorship?

Metacritic is implementing a 36-hour review delay to ensure that people actually had enough time to play a game before sharing their thoughts about it online. Some gamers might view the move as an attempt to stifle their opinions, and perhaps it is. But is that really a bad thing? Ever since the rise of social media, Joe Public has been given a platform to shift the narrative in various areas of the entertainment industry. It only takes a second for a seemingly harmless comment or tweet to spiral out of control, forcing studios to change their CGI graphics, fire a director or change their casting choice. The truth is “cancel culture” hides under the guise of an opinion, which everyone is entitled to, regardless of the facts laid out in front of them. However, there needs to be a line drawn between the need to express and opinion and causing financial ruin to a company.
Fortress of Solitude •

Marvel: How To Watch Every Movie In Scene-By-Scene Chronological Order

Marvel created something new with The Avengers in 2012. The movie brought together different heroes from their own stories into one big team-up movie. When that was done the characters parted ways and went back to their own sequels. This type of storytelling has always been done in the comics. But doing it across 23 films with so many strong characters and undertones was brand new. While each movie may not be telling the exact same story, they all take place in the same universe and are connected by characters, events, and settings. So if you’re new to the franchise you’d be forgiven for being a little confused as to how they all fit together, and in which order to watch them.
Fortress of Solitude •

South African Cinemas Hoping to Open in July - But Will You Go?

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the entire movie industry came to a screeching halt. Film and television productions were put on hold, while cinemas (including South African cinemas) themselves have been closed for almost two months (depending on which part of the world you’re in). But in recent weeks, Hollywood studios have held out hope that movie theatres will be back in business by early July. In South Africa, the release of Unhinged will coincide with cinema openings across the globe. South African cinemas plan to open safely and will comply with all state public health department guidelines. Safety measures include socially distant seating (capacities of 25-50%), staggered showtimes to reduce crowding, and more time between each show to allow for increased cleaning.
Fortress of Solitude •

Good News! Comic Con Africa 2020 Isn't Cancelled... Yet

Due to the coronavirus pandemic a lot of big pop culture events, from Coachella to the Met Gala, have been postponed or cancelled. Could Comic Con Africa 2020 be next? Maybe not. In geek culture, the most crushing blow was the official cancellation of San Diego Comic-Con. It’s the first time the event has been cancelled in its 50-year history. The disappointment wasn’t just felt by fans, but also by the many artists and creators who rely on the event to bring more attention to their work. However, if you’re in South Africa there is some good news (for now). Reed Exhibitions Africa plans to go ahead with Comic Con Africa 2020 this September. How can they pull this off given the current pandemic? We’ve got all the info right here!
Fortress of Solitude •

Movies Delayed By The Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has had a massive impact on the film and television industry. Movie theaters around the world have been closed and film festivals have been cancelled or postponed. As a result, the global box office lost millions of dollars and streaming has become even more popular. While smaller films are proceeding with earlier digital releases, those belonging to large movie franchises, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, James Bond and The Fast Saga, are either moving or have been delayed indefinitely. With that in mind, here’s a list of all the movies that have been delayed (so far), along with their new release dates (where available):
Fortress of Solitude •

Is Don Cheadle Leaving The MCU?

Avengers: Endgame may have been Don Cheadle’s last MCU appearance as James Rhodes/War Machine. The actor, who replaced Terrence Howard in Iron Man 2, recently revealed that he signed a six-movie deal with Marvel – which ended with Endgame. After his making MCU debut in 2010, Don Cheadle became a fan-favourite, with many praising his chemistry with Robert Downey Jr. He returned as War Machine for Iron Man 3 and reprised the role for crossover appearances in other MCU movies including Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. War Machine also made a credits-scene appearance in Captain Marvel. In a recent interview, Cheadle talked about how he was offered the role of War Machine, as well as his contractual deal with Marvel.
Fortress of Solitude •

Sam Raimi Is Set To Direct Doctor Strange 2

MCU fans were disappointed when Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness lost the directing talents of Scott Derrickson back in January due to “creative differences”. But when director Sam Raimi (of the Tobey Maguire trilogy) entered talks to take his place a month later, they were thrilled. Some fans may even recall that Doctor Strange was mentioned in. In a recent interview, Raimi officially goes on the record about taking on the project. He also explains the relevance of this Easter Egg in relation to his new gig.
Fortress of Solitude •

The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina Season 3: Hell Has Never Been Hotter

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s horror-filled reimagining of our favourite half-witch half-mortal is back for a third season of – and hell has never been hotter. Season three of The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina picks up one month later with Aunties Zelda and Hilda rallying what’s left of their coven to re-open the Academy of Unseen Arts. Meanwhile, Sabrina is determined to make good on her vow to bring Nick back from Hell. After a few failed attempts she realizes the only way to save Nick is by claiming her rightful place as Queen of Hell. But there’s a catch. Citing infernal law, The Prince of Hell, Caliban challenges her claim to the throne. As Sabrina focuses on Caliban’s challenge and business of being Queen, a battle for Greendale ensues in which she is forced to choose between the throne and the town she calls home.
Fortress of Solitude •

Emergence - A Sci-Fi Mystery Focused On Family

Every new series comes with the promise of something exciting – an original premise, new characters to root for, and (hopefully) a story that keeps viewers wanting more. It’s a pretty simple three-step formula for creating a good series. And while the success of shows that bring beloved comic book characters to life is undeniable (and a personal favorite of mine), an original idea is always a nice change. Emergence gives viewers a good dose of change with its fresh cast, new premise and original storyline.
Fortress of Solitude •

The Minions Are Back In A Sequel To The Prequel

Minions: The Rise Of Gru is set to hit theatres on July 3, 2020. Written by Brian Lynch, the movie will be a direct continuation of the 2015 film. It will focus on the minions’ adventures with a despicable, 12-year-old Gru who dreams of becoming the world’s greatest supervillain. Set in the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru is growing up in the suburbs. As a huge fan of the Vicious 6 (a notorious group of supervillains), Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily his loyal, mayhem-causing minions are there to help. Kevin, Stuart, Bob, Otto (a new minion with braces) and the rest of the gang help Gru to build his first lair, experiment with weapons and carry out his first missions.
Fortress of Solitude •

New TV Series You Should Be Watching In 2020

The formula for any good TV series is pretty simple. You need likeable, compelling characters in a familiar but not overly familiar setting. These characters need to be unique but still relatable enough so that they’re not completely different from people you know or have seen on other TV shows. Thanks to network television and a variety of streaming sites, there’s never a shortage of great shows to choose from. But with so many diverse viewing niches available to audiences, it’s easy for some shows to slip through the cracks. So while we wait for Baby Yoda to return, here’s a list of new series you might have missed but are totally worth adding to your watch list.
Fortress of Solitude •

No, Indiana Jones Is Not A Trans-Male Berkeley Student

For anyone who doesn’t know, Indiana Jones was created by the masters of cinema, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg in attempt to version of James Bond without the hardware. The collaboration resulted in a franchise which kicked off in 1981 with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. The movie was wildly successful, shattering all sorts of box office records. Today, the movie is still considered a quintessential cinema classic. It’s even earned a place in the U.S. Library of Congress’ National Film Registry as a culturally and aesthetically significant piece of cinema history. But while most fans eagerly await the release of Indiana Jones 5 on July 9, 2021, the franchise hasn’t been able to avoid dissection by some folks who feel the need to “fix” every movie that doesn’t fit the current popular narrative.
Fortress of Solitude •

Charmed Season 1 Celebrates All Things Witchy (Eventually)

In the world of entertainment, 2018 was definitely the year of the witch. For the first time since the ’90s our interest in them has piqued, as evidenced by the phenomenal success of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. So the excitement that surrounded the 2018 Charmed reboot is rather fitting. The series opens with Maggie (Sarah Jeffery) sneaking out to a sorority party in her sister’s combat boots and Mel (Melonie Diaz) sending suggestive texts to an unidentified recipient. When Mel and Maggie return home from their respective nights out, they discover their mother (who was in the middle of unbinding their powers) lying lifeless on the ground outside. Three months later while Mel and Maggie are doing their best to cope with the unsolved mystery surrounding their mother’s death, fate brings young scientist Macy Vaughn (Madeleine Mantock) to town.
Fortress of Solitude •

Did Comic Con Africa 2019 Live Up To The Hype?

If you’re a fan of cosplay, esports, gadgets, comic books and the movies inspired by them then Comic Con Africa 2019 was the place to be. The four-day event featured a wide selection of artists and exhibitors selling everything from collectables, comic books and games to clothing, accessories and toys. Comic Con Africa also introduced an entirely kid-focused angle to the convention, aptly dubbed KidsCon. With an entire hall dedicated to kid-friendly fun and games, young attendees were encouraged to be expressive and embrace their individuality. KidsCon mixed creativity with playtime as children engaged in different activities like creating new worlds in the Play-Doh Creations area, showing off their blasting skills in the Hasbro Nerf Zone and more.
Fortress of Solitude •

Why The MCU’s Captain America Is Actually A Jerk

“When bad things happen and you can stop them, but you don’t, they happen because of you.” Captain America is seen as the epitome of a hero. He is one of the few worthy enough to lift Mjolnir, he has access to Iron Man’s armoury and he’s been entrusted with Wakanda’s technology by Black Panther. Coupled with all the charm, world-saving, and moral grandstanding, it’s easy to believe that Captain America didn’t make a single false move throughout the eleven year Avengers saga. But upon closer examination Captain America has made some of the worst decisions in the entire MCU (post suspended animation). And these poor choices come to the forefront in Avengers: Endgame.
Fortress of Solitude •

Fans Resort To Bullying Shang-Chi Actor For The Dumbest Reason Ever

One of the biggest announcements from San Diego Comic-Con this year was the addition of Shang-Chi to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is set to debut on February 12, 2021. The film, which will pit Shang-Chi against the Mandarin, will also serve as the MCU’s first big-screen foray into the kung fu genre. But that wasn’t the only news about the movie. During Marvel’s presentation, Kevin Feige introduced Simu Liu as the actor leading the cast as the Master of Kung-Fu. But as the excitement of a seeing a brand new hero come to life on screen died down, the ugliness crept in. Simu Liu started receiving backlash on social media just a few weeks after the casting announcement. And it was for the most ridiculous reason ever.
Vamers •

Spider-Man To Leave MCU Due To Failed Studio Negotiations

Uh oh. It looks like Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will no longer be producing any more Spider-Man films with Sony Pictures. The news comes after months of negotiations fell apart due to a profit sharing dispute between Sony (who still holds the movie rights to the character) and Marvel Studio’s parent company, Disney. This means that Spider-Man will no longer appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Worse still, crossover appearances and cameos from MCU characters in future Spider-Man films will have ended with Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019).
Fortress of Solitude •

Are SJWs And PC Culture-Based Propaganda Ruining Movies?

Movies are one of humanity’s greatest creations ever. Thanks to movies, we can travel back in time or even to a galaxy far, far away. We can escape to places beyond our wildest dreams and lose ourselves in the fantasy. Movies are also a great way to learn. We can track the progress of humanity through the re-telling of stories about wars, gain insight into different countries and cultures and see just how much we have progressed as a society. Like photographs, movies are a snapshot in time. This used to be the essence of all movies. But lately Hollywood has tasked itself with leading us into a more “woke’ future by attempting to right the wrongs of all social evils. Having ditched the sexism, racial stereotyping and bigotry of yesteryear, Hollywood is attempting to erase the past in order to remedy the problem of unconscious bias. But they’re not doing it very well.
Fortress of Solitude •

Why The New Charlie’s Angels Movie Is Problematic

In just a few months the newest re-imagining of the cult classic Charlie’s Angels will hit theatres around the world. Naomi Scott, Kristen Stewart and Ella Balinska bring the new generation of Angles to life with Elizabeth Banks taking the helm as screenwriter and director. The movie is said to be a continuation of the franchise’s existing storyline and was develop by Evan Spiliotopoulos and David Auburn. The premise goes something like this… It’s 2019 and Charles Townsend’s security and investigation agency has expanded internationally. Teams of highly trained, intelligent, fearless women referred to as “Angels” are guided by multiple Bosleys (which is now a ranking title rather than a name) as they complete the toughest missions across the globe. When a young systems engineer blows the whistle on some dangerous technology, these Angels are called into action, putting their lives on the line to protect us all.
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