#shareeka epps

[beautifilms]

Half-Nelson (2006) dir. Ryan Fleck

[eclecticpjf]

Now watching:

So far, I am not impressed.

[letterboxd-loggd]

The Winning Season (2009) Jim Strouse

January 28th 2024

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Shareeka Epps arm wrestles Ryan Gosling in a scene from Half Nelson (2006), co-written and directed by Ryan Fleck. Ryan F was born in Berkeley and has 19 director credits from a 2002 short to four episodes of a 2020 mini-series.

His other notable credits include Captain Marvel.

[jk-unless]

I’m glad that I didn’t discover Half Nelson when I was younger bc my 13 y/o,older men loving,daddy issues having ass would have been going through some shit bruh.

On a related note,the fact that the closest we got to Ryan Gosling having a black love interest was a 13 YEAR OLD is absolutely SICKENING!

[raphexim]

Literally the only Gosling film I'd ever seen before Barbie was Remember the Titans like 25 years ago.

Jesus that makes me feel old. I am. Christ.

(it's only 23 years? That's... not better)

Working my way through belatedly so imma just use this post to keep track of thoughts and feelings

The Gray Man: fucking loved it so much??? Murder weapon turned unwilling father figure??? Sad grumpy dads are my one trope to rule them all, particularly when bound with found family. I'd wanna play checkers with Six. Like the characters were super compelling to me, the way they showed development and how everything felt character driven to me? And there were such good unspoken implications that also expanded on these characters without burdening the storytelling. AND the lack of gore!!!! This was a super violent movie and it only got a PG-13 because you literally don't need to show that shit on a screen. Bless

The Nice Guys: I expected to be aced out by the whole porno thing, but it was more nudity with implications than *the do* and I guess that didn't cross the line for me. And honestly pretty mild at that. The plot has holes. So many holes. Russell Crowe's accent was distracting. And crazily, I didn't really care about any of that, because the characters and their dynamics and chemistry were just chef's kiss. I love Holland? And I love that he is a disaster. I would not like him in person. There is a little gore at the end, but if you consider physics, it's not realistic at all (crazy how you can convey a visual without having to emotionally scar your audience, who knew???). This is the only one I have re-watched so far, and now have the book so that I can consume my comfort in multiple forms.

La La Land: idk. The music was good. Ryan walks some kind of way. I was VERY impressed with his piano skills. (I was raised by a pianist, so I have to notice that stuff, which makes me sound pretentious I'm so sorry). Idk what happened. I have no idea what the message was, or if there even was one. It seemed like it was trying to have one?? But like "you can either fall in love, follow your dreams, or be successful, but only two out of three. And if you get rid of one, you're guaranteed to get the others." Idk. Very meh, probably won't watch again except for specifically the piano playing.

Lars and the Real Girl: tbh my only context for this movie was an episode of Pushing Daisies where a delusional guy used his doll to murder someone, so. I did not have high expectations. Also had no idea RG had anything to do with it. *And* my tolerance level for secondhand embarrassment is on the fucking floor so I expected to have to turn it off. I didn't. Fuck. This movie was so wholesome???? The treatment of a mental illness was so supportive and positive??? (Except for the touch thing, that was... Let people not want to be touched!)

The Notebook: hi, I hated the Notebook. I don't get the hype, I don't know why people treat it like the ultimate romance. Man coerces a girl into a date by threatening to kill himself, she retaliates by publicly humiliating him. They scream at each other a lot. Poor communication. Obsessive behavior?? Literally so creepy??? Anyway they're terrible for each other and it's an unhealthy relationship. Ryan with brown eyes. Only rewatching if it's to roast and drink.

Half Nelson: made me uncomfy, but that was the point, right? It's a white savior movie but it's about being a white savior movie. The racial subtext of a white guy stepping in inappropriately and what the fallout of that is; stack on the nuance of addiction, male entitlement. How powerful of a moment for Drey to ask "will I end up like my brother" and Dan being the one to make her so. (Also the performance by Shareeka Epps? Spellbinding.) The writer who became a teacher and then never got around to writing? Real. So was the fact that nothing happened professionally after he did what he did to his coworker. Very pre-Me Too. Anthony Mackey was both the most charismatic and, somehow, most responsible character in the entire thing. My only actual beef is the camera work. This last bit is petty - they finally gave me a RG character with a cat, and the cat dies (but, very single white bachelor to name him Dave omg.)

Crazy, Stupid Love: uhhhhh the children involved in this were... this wasn't good. There could have been good lessons for them (the son with consent maybe??) (*not* depicting a teenage girl giving suggestive photos to a child???) but there weren't. There were good aspects in the story, don't get me wrong: exploring relationships, trying to find your identity outside of just 'who you're married to'. I get it. Everything that wasn't actively trying to teach a lesson was funny. The parts that were meant to be heartfelt, did not age well and also probably weren't great to begin with. Maybe that's the male gaze idk. I wanted more of Jacob and Cal's actual relationship, because what was being suggested between the lines was way more interesting to me than the actual plot. Jacob with the family/bonding with Cal's kids completely off-screen, are you kidding me? Cal being a really weird, awkward stand-in for Jacob's father? Jacob accidentally being written demi-romantic and having a crisis about it? I'd love someone to remake this movie. Preferably women-directed. [But I am obsessed with the second Jacob heard David's name and had zero hesitation, just ring off 'we doin this'. He's a real one.]

Can you tell I have feelings about overuse of sex and gore? Esp how it's been the last few years? Ugh. Like I want to watch Drive bc it sounds like it's supposed to be an ✨iconic✨ role for him but I get squicked out by chunks/organs and stuff and I have no idea how graphic it is. Can we go back to shit being implied, off screen, or at least artistic again???

I'm not tagging this, it's for me lmao

[filmes-online-facil]

Assistir Filme Half Nelson: Encurralados Online fácil

Assistir Filme Half Nelson: Encurralados Online Fácil é só aqui: https://filmesonlinefacil.com/filme/half-nelson-encurralados/

Half Nelson: Encurralados - Filmes Online Fácil

Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) trabalha como professor em uma escola secundária, localizada na vizinhança pobre do Brooklyn. Desiludido com a realidade, ele não cumpre o currículo padrão da escola e tenta, de alguma forma, incentivar seus alunos a estudar os direitos alcançados com a Guerra Civil americana. Para tanto Dan tenta ensiná-los a pensar por si próprios, incentivando a troca de trabalhos entre eles. Porém fora de sala Dan recorre às drogas para superar a desilusão. Um dia ele é pego, logo após uma aula, por uma de suas alunas, Drey (Shareeka Epps). Apesar da diferença de idade e das condições sociais, eles aos poucos tornam-se bons amigos.

[kenposting]

hi!!! i updated this so you can see where to watch them all!!!

heart means its FREE right now!!! yahoooo and an x means its unavailable, a $ means its available but only for rent. all the other logos are where its currently streaming! and i made sure to only include those if it was a regular (not premium) subscription! (ex: if it says hulu, its on regular hulu!!)

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lots of titles are currently available for free!! and i wanted to compile everything that's available rn so just click the names below to stream <3

ps ryan gosling cannot pick a normal role to save his life - all his movies are so intense so i tried to put all the tws and a (copied and pasted) summary in there as well

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Free to Watch:

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ The Believer; (TW: stalking, beating, domestic violence, violence kink, child death, emetophobia, suicide, hate speech, use of the n word, intense antisemitism, incestuous relationships, gun violence, blood) ✿ "A hardcore American racist skinhead who, because of his intelligence, leads a gang dedicated to fighting the enemy: the supposed American-Jewish conspiracy for domination. However, he's hiding a secret: he's Jewish-born, a brilliant scholar whose questioning of the tenets of his faith has left him angry and confused, turning against those who he thinks have a tragic history of their own making."

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Stay; (TW: dog was put down, drug use, alcohol abuse, struggling to breathe, parental death, several needle scenes, mental health institution, threatening suicide, suicide, panic attacks, ptsd, self harm, claustrophobia, baby crying, camera shakiness, sad ending, car crash, blood and gore) ✿ "Sam Foster (Ewan McGregor), a psychiatrist, has a new patient, Henry Letham (Ryan Gosling), who claims to be suicidal. In trying to diagnose him, Sam visits Henry's prior therapist (Janeane Garofalo) and also finds Henry's mother -- even though Henry has said that he murdered both of his parents. As reality starts to contradict fact, Sam spirals into an unstable mental state. Then he finds a clue as to how and when Henry may try to kill himself, and races to try to stop him."

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Half Nelson; (TW: cat death, implied child abuse, drug addiction + abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual assault, use of the n word, light blood) ✿ "Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is a history teacher at a Brooklyn school. Though well-liked by his students and colleagues, he secretly spends his evenings hopping bars and getting high. A female student named Drey (Shareeka Epps) catches him in a drug-induced haze after a basketball game, and the two strike up an unlikely friendship. As Dan struggles with his addiction, he tries to act as a mentor to the girl, whose brother is serving time for dealing drugs."

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Lars and the Real Girl; (TW: animal death, several panic attacks + struggling to breathe, mention of parent death, ptsd, ableist language like "crazy", car crash) ✿ "Extremely shy Lars (Ryan Gosling) finds it impossible to make friends or socialize. His brother (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law (Emily Mortimer) worry about him, so when he announces that he has a girlfriend he met on the Internet, they are overjoyed. But Lars' new lady is a life-size plastic woman. On the advice of a doctor (Patricia Clarkson), his family and the rest of the community go along with his delusion."

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ All Good Things; (TW: dog death on purpose, domestic violence, graphic drug use, fall from a high place, suicide, panic attacks, pressured into pregnancy termination, brief sexual content, sad ending, blood, gun violence) ✿ "Heir to a real-estate dynasty, David Marks (Ryan Gosling) lives in the shadow of his father, Sanford (Frank Langella). He takes a chance at true love when he meets Katie (Kirsten Dunst), a woman of modest origins who sees David's real worth as a person, not just his family's wealth. David and Katie marry and plan to build a life together, but their once-loving relationship deteriorates after David gives in to his father's demand that he work in the family business."

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Only God Forgives; (TW: child abuse, gaslighting, addiction, sexual assault, very graphic violence and gore, body mutilation, lots of body horror, torture, child death, parent death, hate speech, homophobia, use of the n word, sexual content, incestuous relationships, sad ending) ✿ "In Thailand, a drug trafficker's (Ryan Gosling) icy mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) sends him on a mission to avenge his older brother, who was killed for beating an underage prostitute to death."

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ The Big Short; (TW: abusive parents, someone falls to their death, suicide, misophonia, main character is autistic, panic attacks, 4th wall breaks, shakes camera, ableism, racism, hate speech, scene in a strip club, character is unhoused, sad ending) ✿ "In 2008, Wall Street guru Michael Burry realizes that a number of subprime home loans are in danger of defaulting. Burry bets against the housing market by throwing more than $1 billion of his investors' money into credit default swaps. His actions attract the attention of banker Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), hedge-fund specialist Mark Baum (Steve Carell) and other greedy opportunists. Together, these men make a fortune by taking full advantage of the impending economic collapse in America."

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Song to Song: (TW; bugs, drug use, cheating) ✿ "Set against the Austin, Texas, music scene, two entangled couples -- struggling songwriters Faye (Rooney Mara) and BV (Ryan Gosling), and music mogul Cook (Michael Fassbender) and the waitress (Natalie Portman) whom he ensnares -- chase success through a rock 'n' roll landscape of seduction and betrayal."

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Mojo Dojo Bingo Yeehaw

｡ﾟﾟ･｡･ﾟﾟ｡ ﾟ。 Ken's Mojo Dojo Bingo 　ﾟ･｡･ﾟ

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

i currently have ryan gosling brainrot and found myself rechecking google to see what movies i haven't seen. thought this would make it a lot easier!!

[earlysummer1951]

HALF NELSON (2006) dir. Ryan Fleck

[cinematapestry]

Half Nelson (2006) dir. Ryan Fleck

[rhettakins]

My Soul to Take (2010)

In the small town of Riverton, a local legend tells of a serial killer's oath to come back and kill the seven children who were born on the night he supposedly died. Now 16 years later, Riverton residents are disappearing again, making some wonder if the legend is true. Bug (Max Thieriot), plagued by nightmares all his life, is one of the so-called Riverton Seven, and it's up to him to save his friends from an evil that will not rest.

The movie contains similarities to two of Wes Craven's previous films, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and Shocker (1989).

[tinyreviews]

I am puzzled why I feel satisfied, even though his movie has no resolution. Maybe it’s because Drey picked a side in the end.

Half Nelson is a 2006 American drama film directed by Ryan Fleck and written by Fleck and Anna Boden. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps and Anthony Mackie.

[leighlim]

That's how you craft a character!

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Hopefully by this point you’ve finished 'Half Nelson’, the kind of person who isn’t bothered by spoilers, or are just deciding if you still want to keep watching.

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First time I went through two thirds of the film...I had to walk away. Thankfully it was just a case of needing to make sure I was in the right head-space to continue watching.

Now that I've made it to the end credits, the film's pace surprisingly quickens during a second viewing. Plus I've noticed specific things that point to how well crafted this film is.

One example is at 8:03 Dan visits his dealer and it's only until Drey pops up later (29:24) in the same house and Javi is there playing a video game. It was the answer I would have gotten early on that fuelled one of the big questions of the story (Has Frank sold to Dan?). Then a closer look would reveal that Frank's black SUV was parked.

Then there's the title. Which isn't a line by any of the characters or written in any of the set-dressing materials. Since I am not a wrestler, I was not familiar with the term Half Nelson (should it be in caps or lower case?) until I read a review mentioning it's connection to wrestling. It's basically a move that when you're caught in...it is virtually impossible to get out of.

It's a perfect name for what the protagonist (Dan) and antagonist (Drey) go through. What pushes me to rate the film so highly (3 additional points during my second viewing) even after it did not do well during my initial watch...is how intertwined protagonist and antagonist are. It's not about having that final battle (like in 'Black Panther'), it's about realising that teamwork is necessary for both of them to be able to wriggle out of their own personal choke holds.

The parallel isn't obvious either...which is why I was okay in walking away. I haven't come across a review going: "Wait! Wait! You have to just make it to the end...because after that...you'll be able to relax and see the intricacies of the film." The story requires a lot of focus and mental energy. It makes sense that by either the half point or a bit after, a viewer would just want it to be over.

Which is a shame because I think it's on par with 'Beautiful Boy'. I got through it after running through a mountain of tissues during my first viewing. Could it be that it's because Nic Sheff's story had more more plot than Dan's?

I'm definitely at odds why this particular film really hasn't received the appreciation based on its quality. Maybe because critics needed to watch it at least twice? I know a lot is lost for when you're watching a film without captions. But when I stepped away, I did read a number of reviews and none really made me want to watch again. It's a bit like 'Room' in a sense that you're just sitting through that tension not knowing how bleak (or hopeful) the story is going to be.

How about Dan dancing with Drey really closely for a moment? And at least one wink at the teenager? I think it was more of a paternal thing. A daughter taking care of someone who could stand in as her father...and a guy that could have been a dad if his life had taken a different turn. It's interesting that Drey's father is literally absent. We don't even get a glimpse of him at any time during the film's runtime. So I was comfortable with her hanging out at Dan's house and the kind of chemistry they have (which thankfully doesn't cross the line at any point) is something that a lot of healthy Dad-Daughter relationships have. I like how I came across one dad saying (was it a film or TV show? Though it could have been a talk at Church) that how he treats his daughter is going to be how she'll expect her spouse to treat her. I definitely agree with that as I have yet to come across a daughter believing she is unworthy of love (or worse --- needs to endure being negatively treated) because her father wasn't there to model the appropriate behaviour.

Depending on your personal limit, this could be either too much or just right. Having watched the entirety, the only scene of concern is when Dan crosses over and assaults Isabel. I really thought he was going to picked up after that (I'm guessing Isabel wanted to give him a second chance...and thought that what Dan did 'wasn't that bad'?)...and wishes that Ryan and Anna didn't have Isabel wait until the struggle got progressively worse.

Then again...it might just be why Dan didn't end up with charges: Isabel believes that Dan wouldn't do that sort of thing. Which is probably why it took awhile before she finally put in the energy required to get him to stop. Will this be also an eye opener for those who consume alcohol and realise that as they become more inebriated...they are closer to not caring about the consequences?

PS: Seems like Denis O'Hare is now a mainstay for films ('Late Night') and TV shows ('The Good Fight', 'The Good Wife', 'Big Little Lies', 'This Is Us', ) that are a fit for me.

PPS: Why did I doubt that it was Ron Cephas Jones as Mr. Dickson!? Maybe because he was aged up in all his scene during his 'This Is Us' stint?

PPPS: I was thinking about which scene I'd be putting as a highlight...and was torn between the first and second conversations between Dan and Rachel. The second one shows how much they are still linked to each other and how Dan doesn't even attempt to sabotage Rachel's new relationship.

(With unfair body ideals the entertainment industry puts on women...I really liked the fact that Dan notes that Rachel is at a healthy weight...even if she was heavier than she was before. It's also sad that she thinks that Dan has the ideal body...which we now see is a product of his addition).

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HIGHLIGHT:

INT. GYMNASIUM - NIGHT

RACHEL approaches DAN. He is not ready. Tempted to run but chooses not to. At least this time.

He walks towards her.

A deep breath from coach.

DAN

What are you doing here?

She gives him the best smile she could, leaning against the wall. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite reach her eyes. It seems so, but it doesn't. Past hurts are still hovering between them.

RACHEL

Came to check out some baskettball. Heard this was the place.

He mirrors her. Everything but the forced smile.

DAN

We need a little work, but we're having fun, so...

He nods.

DAN

...you know.

RACHEL

How are you?

They share a moment. But it isn't enough to turn back what has been done. He manages a weak smile.

DAN

I'm the same old same old.

RACHEL

I'm happy to see you.

DAN

It's good to see you too.

He smiles and looks at her fondly.

DAN

You look good.

RACHEL laughs.

RACHEL

Oh, come on. I got fat.

She looks down. Embarrassed how 'new her' must look.

DAN

Oh, I know. But it looks great.

They lock eyes. She shakes her head and smiles.

DAN

You look healthy.

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My verdict of the film: 7/10 (During my initial viewing of the first two thirds...I would have given it a 4. But as with a lot of brilliant films...sometimes you need to get to the end to breathe easier at the start)

Link to the timestamp commentary: Maybe? (If there is...I'll be from a rewatch)

A Formal Review of the film: None (You can request sure! But I feel like there is more than enough content about not just installment but the who trilogy in general)

My Thoughts about the writing of the film: None (Maybe I'll write a scene summary piece and post it on my Medium feed?)

More of my comments about the film: None

Instagram Entries: TBA? (I'll have to review my feed to find out which ones have a links to the film)

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[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Anthony Mackie and Shareeka Epps as Drey in Half Nelson (2006). Shareeka was born in Brooklyn and has 12 acting credits, from a 2004, this, her second credit, to a 2021 tv episode. None of her other credits are notable.

[spiderliliez]

Rooney Mara (as Wendy #14) Emma Roberts (as Abbie #10) Shareeka Epps (as Lisa #3) Meaghan Witri (as Tamra / Tam-Tam #50) Sam Rockwell (as Bill) From the sports-comedy, THE WINNING SEASON (2009)

[scenesandscreens]

Half Nelson (2006)

Director - Ryan Fleck, Cinematography - Andrij Parekh

"Change moves in spirals, not circles. For example, the sun goes up and then it goes down. But everytime that happens, what do you get? You get a new day. You get a new one. When you breathe, you inhale and you exhale, but every single time that you do that you're a little bit different then the one before. We're always changing. And its important to know that there are some changes you can't control and that there are others you can."