Whether it's a blockbuster or an indie slow-burner, Mark Ruffalo believes in bringing the same principles and work ethic to every film. He talks to Dominic Corry.

Bringing Cinderella to the screen required Kenneth Branagh and his designers to work some magic, reports Helen Barlow.

Although it wasn't quite a smash hit during its first year, cop comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine garnered enough viewers and displayed enough promise to be granted a second season, which premieres next week.

He's gone from gigging in his hometown English village of Hitchin to touring with Taylor Swift. Lydia Jenkin charts the rise of James Bay.

Do you love the feel of wind whipping through your hair while you tear around a roller coaster listening to badly dated dubstep?

Greg Johnson recalls his first big gig, Elton John at Western Springs Stadium in 1980.

It was one of the biggest films of 2013, and remains a favourite with youngsters around the globe, but this week adults can get a taste of what it's all about too, when Once Upon A Time returns for a new season, and makes Frozen's Elsa a key character.

Hot on the heels of Teina Pora's conviction being quashed last week comes this six-part local documentary series, telling the stories of New Zealanders whose lives have been shattered after a wrongful conviction.

Wellington music stalwarts Trinity Roots are celebrating their reunion with a long-awaited third album. Lydia Jenkin reports.

Will Steam Machines make your Xbox and PlayStation consoles obsolete? Siobhan Keogh takes a look.

The live return of the Backstreet Boys comes with a movie opening act. Leena Tailor reports.

For sunset drinks overlooking the harbour. Call ahead to book your spot - this place runs at max capacity when the sun is shining.

The robot-addicted minds at Weta Workshop helped design the star of Neill Blomkamp's new sci-fi romp. Chappie's makers tells Chris Schulz the five steps essential for building a great big-screen bot.

Kiwi Rose McIver relishes her new lead role as a zombie with a conscience - even the brains for breakfast, writes Leena Tailor.

The X Factor NZ is now down to the final 12. The Spinoff editor Duncan Greive ranks them in order of likely success.

Free of the Harry Potter juggernaut, British actor and director Alan Rickman has finally returned to the director's chair, almost two decades after his directing debut with The Winter Guest.

Chameleon character actor Marsan has a long list of supporting-role credits in big films (Sherlock Holmes; Mission Impossible III) and small (X+Y), which releases here next week.

A good kidnapping requires clever design, meticulous planning and a magician's sense of timing; so does a good kidnapping film. This isn't one.

An Auckland Arts Festival show doesn't just blow things up, blow things over, and blow people's minds, it proves that science isn't just for boys.

Nobody likes a smart-arse. Nobody likes the smartest guy in the room if he's a smug bugger. Nobody likes a goddamn moaner. And nobody likes seeing a boss abuse his staff.

If you enjoyed warm British ensemble drama Cold Feet, then this new six-part BBC drama from Kay Mellor, writer of The Syndicate and Fat Friends, might be just the ticket.

It might be a reality show but The X Factor NZ doesn't exactly throw away the script, finds Lydia Jenkin as she goes behind the scenes with Natalia Kills - and 2013 runner-up Benny Tipene.

Twenty years into their career, Scottish rockers Mogwai are busier than ever with a scary TV soundtrack and a new album to tour. They talk to Chris Schulz.