“The road to power is paved with casualties,” Frank Underwood said as last season of House of Cards came to an end.

There were in fact many casualties (all which happened to be my favorite characters) and the road eventually led to presidency. My hope for the season is that without these key characters, the show can find a way to keep a balance of ‘good and evil’.

The show was released a few weeks early accidentally. But soon after realizing the mistake the show was pulled and Netflix later jested about the mishap.

This is Washington. There's always a leak. All 13 episodes will launch February 27.

— House of Cards (@HouseofCards) February 11, 2015

After patiently waiting, those working at Netflix made sure of releasing the series meticulously on time, Feb. 27 as the clock struck midnight.

In the first episode of the series, we focus almost entirely on Doug Stamper and that fact that he’s alive. He is recovering from a severe brain injury, caused from his skull being bludgeoned by rock-wielding Rachel. He is anxious, almost desperate, to get back to being Frank’s devoted slave.

However, with mood swings and an eerie sense of unpredictability, Frank may decide that Doug is no longer of use to him.

Doug’s tendencies in the first episode bring back a familiar plot, involving the Chief of Staff defying his sobriety, paying for prostitutes and popping Percocet. The episode realistically and emotionally depicts how medical trauma like this can lead some into a dark pit of depression and addiction or for some, to more easily fall back into previous undesirable tendencies.

For Peter Russo, battling sobriety, an addiction to cocaine and the bad habit of sleeping with hookers ended in tragedy; Frank like a shark smelling blood, maneuvered the weak man like a puppet. If this is any precedent for season 3, perhaps Doug will follow suit. As someone who will wait hand and foot for the President he doesn’t seem to have the strength to recover from more than just his brain injury.

When we aren’t watching Doug suffer, we see Frank’s wife Claire unsatisfied with standing in the background as the first lady. She has decided that she wants to be an ambassador to the United Nations – it’s casual. She puts the pants on tells Frank that he is going to help her achieve her desire and to his apparent dismay he agrees. The power-hungry couple leave the episode holding hands – as if shaking after a business deal.

The dynamic has changed, as we see Frank less kiss-ass and more harshly demanding. After all, he’s the President now.

Somehow this Frank is a little less satisfying however, a little less manipulative. Will we see any of the old Frank we used to love – one who plots murder and has sex with journalists? I have a feeling that the new professional and callous Frank, who speaks about campaign finance reform at the dismay of snoozing Netflix watchers, is going to disappoint.

Episode 1 was more political than most episodes – while it is a political drama, I think it’s safe to say most watch the show for the drama. Viewers may be tempted to binge-watch purely in the hopes of seeing improvement, new characters and finding traces of the Frank we loved to hate.

If you need a quick refresher on seasons 1 and 2, visit the best moments of House of Cards.

The post ‘House of Cards’ recap: Chapter 27 is full of surprises and returning faces appeared first on Emerald Media.

(Contains spoilers, obviously).

The Netflix original political drama House of Cards streams its third season starting Feb. 27, and we just can’t get enough from the man we love to hate – (President) Frank Underwood. In the first two seasons, we realized that Frank would kill for this job, literally, and in the Season 2 finale, he had finally become the most powerful man in America.

The jaw-dropping moments leading up to Frank’s coronation are what make this one of the best shows on television (if it were on television).

Let’s revisit the moments that made us binge-watch until we could no longer.

Season 1, Episode 1:

It’s only 30 seconds into the series premiere and Frank Underwood runs outside his home after hearing a dog get hit by a car. The congressman kneels over the whining dog and looks at the camera (as he often does, reflecting his personal thoughts). “There are two kinds of pain; pain that makes you strong, and useless pain – the sort of pain that’s only suffering. I have no patience for useless things,” he says as he suffocates the dog.

Season 1, Episode 6:

Fellow congressman Peter Russo has issues, to say the least. He’s cheating on his girlfriend with hookers, he’s an alcoholic and, deep down, he loathes himself. When Peter shows up at Frank’s house clearly inebriated, Frank draws a warm bath for him, loads him up on blood-thinning aspirin and hands him a razor blade – lighting the path to death, if he so chooses to take it.

Season 1, Episode 7:

Zoe Barnes is a reporter who receives exclusive information from her source, Frank Underwood. They form a pretty special bond – one that includes sex and using each other solely for their own gain. It’s Father’s Day in this episode and Frank pays a visit to Zoe’s apartment, tells her to call him “Dad” (ew) and gives her pleasure while she speaks to her father on the phone.

Season 1, Episode 8:

So, Frank is homosexual? There’s a twist. We knew that Frank had some sketchy experimental college experiences, but we didn’t know that he would make out with his Secret Service bodyguard, while his wife Claire watches and eventually joins in.

Season 1, Episode 11:

In one of the saddest moments by far, Frank manipulates Peter into sleeping with another prostitute and getting drunk during his achieved sobriety. Frank places a passed out Peter into his car and leaves it running in the garage, staging a suicide.

Season 2, Episode 1:

Frank pushes Zoe in front of a train after she questions his involvement in the death of Peter. What even just happened? I re-watched this part ten times, at least.

Season 2, Episode 4:

Claire relives her dark past, and confesses to being raped by the newly commissioned Marine General, who is to be honored in a ceremony by none other than Frank. In an on-screen interview, Claire lets the world know who raped her and even admits to having an abortion.

Season 2, Episode 13:

In the season finale, Frank Underwood convinces the current President to resign amidst controversy (ultimately caused by Frank) and takes over as President of the United States. Also, Rachel kills Doug with a rock.

The post The best moments of House of Cards appeared first on Emerald Media.

Each of the estimated 5,783 cinematically acclaimed Academy members have meticulously ranked what they consider to be the best films of the year, imaginably losing hours of sleep over such a critical decision. After all, the Oscars, which air Sunday, Feb. 22, are to a true movie lover what the Superbowl is to a football fanatic.

With loss of sleep, consequently, comes overlooked details – and in some cases, total recklessness. As the distraught Academy members crawled to their computers and mailboxes in a daze and submitted their final film rankings, they seemed to have forgotten some great Best Picture Oscar-worthy masterpieces.

It’s the only explanation.

While there used to be only five nominees total for Best Picture, there can now be up to 10. Last year’s Best Picture list sported nine films. On Jan. 15, the Academy announced eight films that made this year’s cut.

The nominated films get all the attention. You could work your way down the list of Best Picture contenders until you’ve watched every one in the days leading up to the big event. But don’t just take the Academy’s word for the year’s best movies. The following films may have been picked last in gym, they still could have (and should have) made the team. After the Oscar festivities end and the red carpet is rolled away, it won’t matter who was nominated. These are still among the best movies of the year worthy of adding to your watch list:

Interstellar

While snubbed for Best Picture, Interstellar is nominated for five additional categories. The nominations are for more artistic elements of filmmaking including: best sound, visual effects and original score. While the film had incredible visual and technical qualities, it was also a truly one-of-a kind and absolutely fascinating storyline. One that made you feel small, in the good way. The film brought wonder and gave a profound sense of life. I love leaving a movie and feeling as if I’ve gained a new perspective, giving up a few hours of my life for something that inspires me or makes me question something. Stunning visuals, booming sound, innovative writing and touching performances from Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain and Mackenzie Foy made this a clear choice.

Gone Girl

One of the year’s most anticipated book-to-movie adaptations, Gone Girl flawlessly portrays the disturbing relationship of Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike: Nominated for Best Actress in the film, and rightfully so.) The order and flow of events is everything in this movie – like putting a puzzle together in perfect sequence. From Amy’s disappearance to the very end, it was a complex and satisfying spin on a somewhat ordinary tale of “cheating husband” and “revenge-plotting wife.” Gillian Flynn’s best-seller couldn’t have been better brought to life by director David Fincher and our two main characters, who successfully depicted how a marriage based on lies brought out the true darkness inside them both. It was a worthy contender.

Nightcrawler

Not only was Nightcrawler worthy of a nomination for Best Picture, Jake Gyllenhaal more than deserved to be a candidate for Best Actor. While the film is up for Best Original Screenplay (meaning best script not based on previously published material), the single nomination simply doesn’t do the film justice. It is the kind of movie that explores how a certain kind of human being can make us feel all kinds of uncomfortable, yet intensely mesmerized. Louis Bloom (Gyllenhaal) is the archetype for entitlement and sociopathic behavior and the audience realizes this through stellar writing and even better camera-work. Not seeing more of this film at the Oscars will be thoroughly disappointing.

Foxcatcher

Also nominated five times in prominent categories such as: Best Director (Bennett Miller), Best Actor (Steve Carell) and Best Original Screenplay, Foxcatcher was sadly left out of the running for the coveted Best Picture golden statuette. Everyone loves a true story, and this one is remarkably twisted. The story of Olympic Gold-winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum), his illustrious brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) and wealthy heir John du Pont (Carell) depict just how self-esteem and desperation for approval can lead to a very dark path. With all the additional nominations – especially Best Director – the film is not likely to miss a nomination for Best Picture. It is unclear what went wrong.

The Babadook

It seems to be a rare feat for a horror movie to receive Oscar recognition – and for that reason it is not surprising that The Babadook was neglected, perhaps merely for its genre. Described by The Exorcist director William Friedkin as “nothing shy of the most terrifying film ever made,” the film definitely received the recognition it deserved by those who can appreciate as fastidious a category as “horror.” The Australian film explores the world of a struggling widow and mother, Amelia (Essie Davis) and her son Samuel (Noah Wiseman), who has a crippling fear of monsters and a violent form of coping. The movie is just the right kind of disturbing and frightening that a great horror movie should be – and that is hard to come by.

There was giggling – a lot of it, as Christian Grey said: “If you were mine you wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week.” He just blurted it out in the middle of what was a seemingly ordinary conversation, and one of his very first with Miss Anastasia Steele. As an audience, we were only hitting the tip of a very large iceberg — and we were in this together.

As much snickering as there was throughout the film, I can’t say I left with anything other than a scrunched-up forehead, trying to contemplate what I just watched. Perhaps I was trying to alleviate some of the awkward tension wafting through the crowded theater, just as Anastasia has a difficult time deciding what to do about her proposed sex contract throughout the entirety of the film. I had a hard time deciding what wasn’t sitting well with me.

And then, I realized.

This Christian Grey is not the same Christian Grey that everyone, myself included, drooled over in the books. While his tastes might be “singular,” so is his development as a character. Instead of this irresistible kind of “damaged-goods” man we read about, who we see care and execute small sacrifices for Anastasia, we only see the misogynistic, self-important, frustratingly dull Christian. The one who buys a bunch of stuff for a girl and expects her to become his sex slave. Movie Christian shows no crack in the inner walls constructed from years of childhood abuse. It’s hard to like someone so static.

It’s maddening that this dialogue of “I don’t do romance,” and,“Why not” and, “I can’t tell you” and, “Tell me why,” was this back-and-forth theme of the movie. When they weren’t having sex, the plot was a predictable. A veritable never-ending carrousel ride of unsolved problems. While there may have been multiple climaxes in Christian’s “playroom,” the cinematic climax was missing entirely. Key elements of the book, such as Anastasia’s visit to Christian’s family home, or the entrancing realm of his jealousy toward her best male friend were vaguely exposed, if not entirely omitted.

There seems to be a great deal of controversy over the BDSM (Bondage & Discipline / Domination & Submission / Sadism & Masochism) shown in the film. I must say, without the sexual element, the movie would have been the most boring film I have ever seen. Anastasia fully consents to her relationship with Mr. Grey, and honestly, I see nothing wrong with how it’s portrayed in the film.

The most concerning aspect for me was the extent to which Anastasia is so willing to be submissive, it all areas of her life, especially for this man who gives her nothing in return. I pray that all the boyfriends dragged along to 50 Shades don’t expect their girlfriends to turn into sex-slaves just because the movie portrays submission as adoration and extremely sexy. BDSM isn’t something to be persuaded into, offered as an ultimatum, or engaged in in a desperate attempt to keep the one you love – notable in this particular relationship. A strong respect for female empowerment and mutual relationships both in and outside the bedroom are what matters.

I also find it difficult to find any likability in Anastasia, until she begins to realize the power she has, even against a man like Christian Grey. Her most admirable moment occurs in the last scene of the movie, when she gives Mr. Grey a booming “NO!” as she descends in the elevator and exits his home.

Is Christian taking advantage of a girl so shy she can’t think for herself? Or is Anastasia letting him?

Whether you like it or not, 50 Shades of Grey is the world’s most current obsession and source of fantasies. Author E.L. James sold over 100 million copies, entering the list of all-time best selling books. The film adaptation is expected to make over $60 million in the box office just this weekend, a potential Valentine’s and Presidents Day box-office record.

With all the hype and controversy of an erotic novel coming to the big screen, readers like myself had particular expectations, and like many book-to-film versions, it left me mostly unsatisfied.

Click here to listen to the Emerald Podcast Network’s review of 50 Shades of Grey.

‘What Happened and What is Going On’ couldn’t be a more fitting title for what happened inside my head the first 45 seconds of the anticipated return of The Walking Dead.

The show has always taken risks and in a way, Sunday’s episode was a big creative gamble. From start to end, we are in a dream-like state of flashbacks and foreshadowing. With a flash of opaque red light, we see the railroad to Terminus and the prison. We then see splashes of crimson blood dripping onto a framed sketch of an unrecognizable home – which, predictably, explains itself in the end.

After getting past a slow beginning, we realize that half the gang is missing and the other half has decided to go on yet another road trip in search of new scenery. An addition to the crew is Noah, the boy who befriended our dear lost Beth. If I were to judge his character for the rest of the season based solely on this episode, I would say he’s totally useless – but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

As Rick, Glenn, Tyreese and Noah explore the neighborhood once inhabited by Noah himself, they realize they’ve reached yet another dead-end – literally. Walkers surround the area, many of which being victims of “rebels” who brutally slayed, dismembered and set fire to innocent people, including Noah’s family. Worry not, I’m sure our gang won’t encounter them later on.

Unfortunately in helping Noah search for his family, Tyreese pays the ultimate price. While wandering the home, Tyreese gets bit on the arm by Noah’s young brother, now a walker. Drip drop – his blood seeps onto the framed sketch we saw in the first minute of the premiere. In a fit of delusion and blood loss, he begins to have hallucinations of the dead – Bob, Beth, Mika, Lizzie, Martin and the Governor. While some try to convince him life is not worth living, he exclaims, “It’s not over. I’m not giving up.” But even after the removal of his infected arm, Tyreese’s fight is over. He drives somewhere far away in a car full of those he has lost, joining them in the better life they describe.

I would typically roll my eyes at such a redundant ploy — visions of the dead — in the cinematic or television world, but here, it actually works. As a viewer, you realize the development of Tyreese’s character and the profound damage this new world has done to someone like him – a fatal optimist. We come to understand he is not capable of coping in a world like this or with the things he must do to survive. His internal moral compass is flawed beyond repair, so is life truly worth living?

His conversation with the dead seems to justify his own death a bit more. It leaves us with more peace than the accidental shooting of Beth, for instance. Us viewers can’t handle two main characters dying in a row without some closure. As one of the dead said, “Being a part of it is ‘being’ now.” And so, Tyrese stopped “being.” And I will miss him dearly.

Let’s be honest, we left the mid-season finale pretty pissed off. So much momentum had been escalating in the most stimulating season yet – just to end in the unnecessary killing of sweetheart Beth Greene. Fans were so displeased that protests and petitions to bring her back emerged. As displeased as I was myself, I would like to think Beth’s death meant something bigger in the long run, and Sunday’s return was a noble start to what that something might be.

There are plenty of reasons to plan a week four getaway trip to Portland. Sean Kent, a renowned stand-up comedian and television star is headlining three nights in a row at Harvey’s Comedy Club downtown. On Jan. 30, a 5k run in downtown Portland is dedicated to having the best “Worst Day of the Year” with silly costumes and even more fun activities to follow. The run encourages Portlanders to embrace the crappy January weather while donating proceeds to a nonprofit that provides clothes and food to those in need.

For those staying in Eugene, you also have a chance to donate to a great cause with Claim 52 Brewery’s collaboration with Greenhill Humane Society on Jan 31. If you’re panicked about internship season, stop by Lillis on Feb. 3 for a motivating start to your week. Lillis will be hosting an interview and networking workshop and panel to help you grasp your dream job.

EUGENE:

Jan. 27 – Interview and networking workshop and panel (Lillis Room 240), 5 p.m. It’s internship season, and instead of stressing about it – do something productive! This workshop is meant to help you prepare yourself for tough interview questions and other tools to help you get a job.

Jan. 30 Nordic film series – Mind the Gap (Lawrence Hall 177), 7 p.m. This annual 10-week long series continues with contemporary pieces from countries across Europe, including Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

Jan. 30, 31 – Hockey vs. Washington State (Lane Event Center), free for students. Watch the Ducks take on the Cougars in the last games before the Pac-12 Playoffs.

Jan. 30 – Particle with Hamilton Beach (WOW Hall), 8 p.m., $15. Described as ‘livetronica,’ this artist combines the sounds of Electronic music with Funk and Rock. The artists are known to improvise and come up with new and exploratory music.

Jan. 31 – Best Buddy Benefit for Greenhill Humane Society (Claim 52 Brewery in Eugene), 3-8 p.m. Claim 52 is hosting its first ever ‘Best Buddy Benefit’ to raise money for a great cause and to celebrate its new brew (which happens to be named after its “brew-master’s” first dog!) One dollar of every Angus Imperial Stout will benefit the shelters.

PORTLAND:

Jan. 27 Open mic night at Helium Comedy Club (1510 SE 9th Ave.). It’s free to get in with a two drink minimum, with lots of food specials! Sign up to be on stage from 6-7 p.m., or simply kick back and watch the show.

Jan. 28 Sex and the City trivia night at Foggy Notion (3416 North Lombard St.), 8 p.m. An entire night in honor of the four women who seem to never leave our televisions. It’s free and prizes will be awarded!

Jan. 29-31 Sean Kent at Harvey’s Comedy Club (436 NW 6th Ave.), starting at $15. The “critically acclaimed” standup comedian and star of the new A&E show Modern Dads will take on Portland with jokes that center around socio-political issues, so prepare for a strong personality.

Jan. 30 The Oregon Symphony performs Star Trek (Arlene Schnitzer Hall), 7:30 p.m., $35-125. Hear the beautiful orchestra perform the score live to the full-length film, Star Trek.

Jan. 31 Worst Day of the Year Run (2126 SW Halsey St.), 10 a.m., $35 advanced, $40 day of. Embrace the crappy weather of Portland on what is expected to be a cold, rainy, grey day, but nonetheless full of happiness. Everyone dresses in the most ridiculous costumes that they can find and run 5k to benefit the Portland Police Bureau’s nonprofit, Sunshine Division. Beer gardens, food, hot cocoa and a post-event party included.

Just as some may be saying goodbye to visiting relatives this holiday season, many others bid farewell to Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit whom you might say has overstayed his welcome. After 13 years of J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired films, The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies gave us a somewhat disappointing conclusion to the three-part book adaptation.

On Christmas day, The Hobbit fell short of taking the gold in the domestic box office, making $13.14 million. Comparatively, Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken brought in a whopping $15.59 million and close behind, the star-loaded fairy tale Into the Woods came out with $15.08 million.

While there were moments that sparked investment in characters, the film left few trails of the personal growth and actual plot that is so crucial to the success of the books. Often, storyline was overshadowed by a war engulfed in CGI and bodies piled on more bodies, frequently reminiscent of a video game.

Themes of greed and friendship and the frequent intertwining of these two premises are what draw us into these films. We see it in Thorin Oakenshield’s desire to claim the mountain’s treasure for himself and in Bilbo’s eventual dependence on the ring. We also glimpse moments of love (often when death precedes) and sacrifice. These moments are what save the film from becoming a violent failure.

The stretch of The Hobbit may have been unnecessary and smells a bit like the stench of a franchise, but nonetheless gave us enough to be content with. The 320-page tale came to a close with the same fondness of Bilbo Baggins and his magical journey we had from the very start.

“Broke college student” has undoubtedly become a resonating token phrase in describing the average collegiate.

As students, we may struggle financially while facing lingering shopping desires, food cravings or what we presumptuously label as basic human needs (i.e. getting a wax or an oil change). Your piggy bank has likely starved to death a long time ago. Fortunately, there are businesses out there that recognize the struggle and cut us students a well-deserved break.

Here are 15 places in Eugene you may not have known offer discounts for students:

1. Chili’s

The popular southwestern style restaurant recently began offering students 10 percent off when they show ID. Note: If your waiter is confused, tell them “Steve said so.”

2. Spotify

Spotify lets you listen to and discover new music. Students get 50 percent off a Premium membership.

3. Firestone

For all you lucky ducks with cars – you might not be so lucky when you need to cough up the cash to fix a flat tire, get an oil change or a tune-up. Firestone has your back with a 10 percent student discount.

4. Francesca’s Collections

This female favorite boutique specializes in trendy clothes, handbags, jewelry and gifts. It’s full of whimsical and eclectic collections that students can score for 10 percent off.

5. Jamba Juice

Fruit smoothies, all-natural baked goods, steel-cut oatmeal and other yummy treats can be all yours for 10 percent off with ID. Try the Razzmatazz.

6. LOFT

Feminine and classy – it’s necessary as a college student to have a professional wardrobe for jobs, interviews or career fairs. Good thing Loft offers 15 percent off for college students.

7. Amazon Student

Membership is free and includes six months of free shipping. It also comes with 50 percent off Amazon Prime and deals exclusive to college students.

8. Regal Cinemas

Students receive matinee prices in the evenings – see a $9 movie for $6.50. Excludes weekends.

9. Sizzle Pie

I’ve heard when pizza is free, it tastes better. Every Tuesday, buy one large pizza and receive one classic pizza for free. Delivery only and with student ID.

10. Adobe

Students can get 60 percent off a license for Adobe’s Creative Cloud software.

11. TOMS shoes

Students get free shipping on all orders and each purchase helps a person in need. What’s not to like?

12. London Hair Studio and Spa

Show your student ID and receive 30 percent off your first waxing service.

13. Chapala Mexican Restaurant

Located in Oakway Center, Chapala has good tasting and reasonably priced Mexican food and a full service cocktail lounge. Students receive a 20 percent discount on Sundays.

14. Apple

Student pricing is offered and varies. Score up to $200 off a new Macbook with your student ID.

15. H&M

Although they do not offer a “student discount” H&M encourages students to bring in unwanted clothing to be recycled, in exchange for a 15 percent discount.

A little bit goes a long way and saving a few bucks now and then pays off. You’ll still be a “broke college student,” but you’ll be a savvy one.

Follow Sydney Zuelke on Twitter @SydCaroline

“It’s on us.”

These words have echoed through college campuses around the nation, after a campaign launch from the Obama administration.

The University of Oregon has embraced the message in full force, with the “It’s On Us/”Ducks Do Something” pledge – after the need to do so became evident in the last year.

But campaigns and pledges may only be able to do so much. Maybe people need to see it for their own eyes to truly understand the issue – at least that’s what filmmakers at CNN believe.

The international news station has partnered with The Weinstein Company’s Radius studio, and has announced that they will produce a film examining sex crimes on college campuses.

Sophomore Ali Cohen, a member of SWAT (Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team) agrees that the film may just be the extra push college students need.

“Yes, we have the It’s On Us campaign, and I think that is helping raise awareness, but if outsiders could really see just what a survivor has to go through daily after experiencing sexual violence it might emphasize how much we all need to care about this,” Cohen said.

“The statistics are staggering — our country has a moral obligation to address this issue. We hope our film will provide a wake-up call to our nation to better protect our students,” director Kirby Dick said in a statement about the film’s goals.

Dick will collaborate with producer Amy Ziering (both Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning for their first collaboration on the critically acclaimed film, The Invisible War) for what will most likely be another powerful work. The Invisible War unveiled the issue of sexual assault in the U.S. military and will likely make parallels to the new film.

The currently untitled film will highlight the personal stories of several sexual assault survivors. Some featured will reveal for the first time their story to friends and administrators as the documentary aims to depict how frequently these crimes go unreported.

“Hopefully the film would humanize everyone involved so anyone who sees it could really imagine what it would be like if their sister, best friend, boyfriend, cousin or themselves had to deal with sexual violence,” Cohen said. “College is supposed to be some of the best times of our lives and there are students that have to walk on the same campus as their perpetrator and somehow focus on their classes.”

While there is no set release date yet, the film is predicted to be released to theaters in 2015, and will appear as a CNN Film broadcast later that year.

Scroll to bottom for an audio recording of our short Q&A with Kevin Hart.

Saturday was a day of madness in Eugene. Hundreds of people staked their spot in a line that trailed all the way outside into the harsh winter cold.

Kevin Hart would be making an appearance that morning at Valley River Center for an early showing of his new movie The Wedding Ringer, a privilege for an elite bunch.

Just hours later, he would stand in front of a nearly sold out arena for his comedy show, What Now – part of his college tour.

Operation destroy the university of Oregon is about to be in session people….IM ON MY MOTHAFUCKIN WAAAAAAYYYY…. #WhatNow #WeddingRinger — Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) November 15, 2014

University of Oregon athletes filled a majority of the seats in the theater. Many of the seats were reserved by name for football players and cheerleaders, while other athletes were emailed a link to sign up for front-line passes.

Following the athletic department affiliates, access was granted to VIP contest winners and then on a first come, first serve basis. After every seat was occupied and the chaos from outside the theater was left behind, Hart stood in front of the big screen and spoke to the audience.

“There’s a reason I came to your school. It’s not something of the norm. The reason I did it is because this is a school that has a multicultural feel. White, black, other stuff,” Hart said. “The point is, there’s some of everything in here and that’s what I represent – I’m funny for everybody.”

There’s some brilliance in Hart’s decision to begin his tour through college campuses and show the film exclusively to college students before its release in January.

“Who goes on social media and talks the most? Younger people. After you see it, talk to me and let me know what you think. Hashtag ‘Wedding Ringer’. I’m gonna go back and forth with you,” Hart said. “This is why I’m a fucking big deal, people. I do things out of the norm. This movie is gonna be big, but you guys are getting it first.”

Hart is a fan of anything Philadelphia because it’s where he grew up. As for college football, his heart will always be with Temple University. “I’m not gonna lie to you and say I’m a college football fan, girl, but I am a fan of your uniforms. I love the fact that they get better and better,” Hart told the Emerald before the show.

It’s a fitting statement to make before being gifted personalized Oregon gear by members of the football team. Hart jokes after he’s handed a pair of Oregon Air Jordans, “They look like baby shoes, don’t they? Don’t tell nobody my shoe size.”

Hart offers a new perspective through his college tour. He never went to college, but he followed his dream anyway. He put his best effort into making it come true. It’s all about making the attempt, he said.

“If I were to give college students advice on being successful I would tell them to take advantage of the opportunity they have. Right now you literally have the world in the palm of your hands,” Hart said. “When you get out of it, you’re able to say you had that experience. Unfortunately I didn’t. Granted I am successful and where I wanted to be in life, but college is definitely something I missed out on.”

Hart is moving on to promote his new film and continue his ‘What Now’ tour at Florida State University.

However, he told us on Saturday that Oregon is his new favorite state. (Shhh!)

The Wedding Ringer will be released to theaters Jan. 16, 2015.

Kevin Hart Q&A with the Emerald
Hart hosts advanced movie screening for UO students