On this week’s episode, the gang got weird.

It was a milestone for the series as the study group spent Thanksgiving with the family. Jeff finally meets with his father (with Britta tagging along, of course) while the rest of the group spent the holiday at Shirley’s. It was an episode that would have made more sense if it had aired on the scheduled October date and which felt like the darker timeline Abed predicted back in season three.

This week’s guest stars alone may just be what it took to turn the season’s record of disappointing episodes, but even the writing was remarkably better. The slight nod to the Shawshank Redemption was subtle enough to bring us back to seasons one and two style writing and served as a reminder of just how great the show is at doing this kind of thing. Well boys, it looks like we’re finally getting back in the Community groove!

Here are five things from this week, Shawshank style:

1. James Brolin.

Finally, FINALLY the show utilizes the talent that comes to them in a celebrity guest star as Brolin joins the cast as Jeff’s father. Though he has some entertaining lines, his character had a more serious tone. Having a character/actor keep an appropriate tone for the story line isn’t something we’re used to seeing from the show (even with more serious plot lines) and it was refreshing and extremely well done. Brolin’s ability to keep a straight face while informing Jeff that he had nothing to worry about in the bedroom when he got older made him the perfect Papa Winger. It’s safe to say that this week’s guest appearance was a home run for the series.

2. “He’ a  Schwarzenegger; I’m a DeVito! I get it!” Read more…

In a society fascinated by Glee, here is yet another film exploring the idea of singing in a show choir.

Helmed by Dawson’s Creek director Jason Moore, Pitch Perfect stars Anna Kendrick in the middle of an a capella group at her all-girls’ college. Needing to rebuild and beat the rival all-boys group, the film also features the talents of Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Adam DeVine and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (yes, McLovin from Superbad!!)

While it’s pretty obvious what the outcome of the story is, I can imagine this film being a complete cringeworthy cheesefest.

But with the hilarious Rebel Wilson delivering her one-liners, catchy songs sung in a capella and some obvious romance put in, this looks like a guilty-pleasure type of movie.