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A student (Dominic Sessa, left) and a teacher (Paul Giamatti) get stuck together during the holidays in "The Holdovers."
Focus Features
A student (Dominic Sessa, left) and a teacher (Paul Giamatti) get stuck together during the holidays in “The Holdovers.”
Randy McMullen, Arts and entertainment editor for the Bay Area News Group is photographed for a Wordpress profile in Walnut Creek, Calif., on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
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Got your weekend plans yet? Well, you have come to the right place, as we have all kinds of fun ideas, from the return of a rom-com icon to great live shows and amazing pies and cookies.

Just be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

1 WATCH: A new holiday classic?

Alexander Payne’s new movie “The Holdover,” starring the delightfully irritable Paul Giamatti, has the feel of a new holiday classic. It tops our roundup of new shows and movies you should watch this weekend.

The spiced hot chocolate pie by “Pie is Messy” cookbook author Rebecca Grasley incorporates Mexican hot chocolate flavors and is topped with espresso whipped cream. (Courtesy Anthony Tahlier/Ten Speed Press) 

2 BAKE & SCARF: A slice (or two) of heaven

Since we’re headed into peak pie season, it might be time to up your baking game a little. Which means it’s a good time to get to know this baker and her new book.

3 BAKE & SCARF PART II: These cookies have it all

Oatmeal and chocolate chips have often represented two different corners of the cookie world. In this version, they join forces.

4: SEE & HEAR: Great live shows are all over

From the return of the Temptations musical to a performance by the S.F. Girls Chorus and an acclaimed comedy tour, there are a lot of great live shows to see this weekend.

5 DINE: Copita Tequileria has arrived

Celebrity chef Joanne Weir’s hotly anticipated new eatery Copita Tequileria y Comida has finally opened in San Jose’s Willow Glen district. We paid a visit recently and here are our thoughts.

David Duchovny and Meg Ryan star in “What Happens Later.” (Focus Features) 

6 WATCH: Meg Ryan is back

The onetime rom-com queen returns to the big screen this week in a new comedy with David (“X-Files”) Duchovny. Here’s what she told us about it.

7 SEE & HEAR: A stage show like no other

Berkeley native Eisa Davis’ new play “Bulrusher” is a mystical, unusual coming-of-age story that even serves up a helping of the mysterious “Boontling” dialect. It’s opening this week in the East Bay.