Robert Downey Jr. as the Master of Deduction. Peter Jackson directing a movie with no hobbits. Meryl Streep without an accent. Robert De Niro as the father of Drew Barrymore. Yes, the holiday movie season is upon us, and the films poised to descend on the multiplexes and the arthouses before the end of the year just might make it to an Oscar ballot – or might vanish, forgotten, into the cold night.

For those hungry college students working off of a budget this holiday season, Diego’s, “an atypical Mexican gourmet restaurant,” is most certainly the find of the season. Located at 11 Bowen’s Wharf, right on Newport’s historic sea front, Diego’s offers both patio and indoor dining options.

Family of the Year recently released their first full length debut album, “Songbook,” on independent label, Washashore Records. The CD consists of 15 songs which will brighten anyone’s day. This feel good album can easily be listened to at work or on a long drive to the beach.

This fall, A Rocket to the Moon, a quartet with members hailing from the west and east coast, opened for Boys Like Girls on the OP presents tour. The band recently released their new CD, “On You Side” featuring the single, “Mr. Right.” The band’s set at the Nov.

A year and a half ago, a summer tour with Boys Like Girls and Good Charlotte put The Maine on the radar as they released their debut album, “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.” This past fall, the band traveled across the country again, opening for Boys Like Girls on the OP presents tour; Cobra Starship, A Rocket to the Moon, and Versa Emerge also shared the line-up.