From crack addiction to blockbusters, Tom Hardy’s path to stardom has been an unconventional one. He still thrives on dysfunction, he tells Matt Mueller.

Do you want to build a global phenomenon? That’s exactly what Disney did with its stratospherically successful animated film, Frozen. Kat Brown explains what went so right.

Neil Gaiman’s latest fantasy is an attempt to restore to fairy tales some of the danger the Grimm brothers removed. Gaby Wood reports.

With a new novel out, and a potential film finally on the horizon, Patricia Cornwell tells Judith Woods how Dr Kay Scarpetta was held hostage by Hollywood.

Some Luck is the first volume of Pulitzer Prize-winner Jane Smiley’s trilogy set in the Iowa badlands. Boyd Tonkin reports.

"Short stories don't sell," is the current mantra of publishers everywhere, as a way of refusing to look at proffered manuscripts in case they love them and are sorely tempted.

On the day after the birth of his son who wasn't really his son, Joseph the carpenter watched the sun come up over the little town of Bethlehem.

More than 125 gifts for him and for her, for girls, boys and difficult teens, for foodies and home-improvers, and for those who are hard to buy for.

Looking for celebratory sparkling wine for Christmas? John Hawkesby recommends six of the best mid-range Kiwi offerings.

Cool kids know what’s up for summer.

On the back of particularly bad music review, by Simon Sweetman, James Griffin asks the question: why do some people hate the ukulele so much?

Bette Midler talks frankly to Bryony Gordon about sex, self-respect and survival.

Baby-faced yet self-assured, Leonardo DiCaprio has just turned 40. Robbie Collin applauds an actor who is truly ageless.

INTERACTIVE: Our annual guide to the best books to give and receive this Christmas. Guess which ones made the list.

In the shopping malls of this proud little consumer nation, the Christmas decorations have been up since October.

For decades Suzanne McFadden has dyed her hair to keep away the grey. But enough is enough. Here, she describes the fear — and the relief — of finally showing her age.

In 2008 Auckland’s most famous record store almost closed its doors, its owners broke and broken. But six years on the story couldn’t be more different.

Standards are kept high at Andiamo, a constant that ensures regulars stay faithful.

In an extract from a new book of photographs by Andris Apse, which pays tribute to the South Island, former All Black captain Anton Oliver tells how the Central Otago landscape reduced him to tears.

Get ready for high-octane glamour this season.

New Zealand’s own spice girls of cuisine tell Greg Dixon about eating their way around india, visa hassles and sharing bunks in a train.

Coming out, being rich, feeling broody, getting drunk, dating when you’re famous and why a dog is better than a boyfriend.