A teenager developing superpowers is a story we’ve seen time and time again on both the big and small screen. It has become a trope of the superhero genre, but Invincible proves that with a unique twist on the idea, it can become fresh once more. The Walking Dead comic book creator and producer of the TV adaptation Robert Kirkman now brings us Invincible , an adult animated superhero show based on his comic book series of the same name. Invincible ultimately follows the li

As Victoria plunges into a seven day circuit breaker lockdown the team at The Standard have compiled a list of tunes to get you through. From feel good classics to dance in your room songs, lockdown will fly by with this playlist. 1. t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l (Transparent Soul) – Willow Despite being a new release, this song’s crashing wave of drums and guitar will take you on a nostalgia trip to a simpler time. Forget the lockdown by dancing around your room and preten

Planned new capacity rules for Melbourne’s small and medium-sized live music venues – originally due to come into effect on Friday – have been delayed by this week’s Covid-19 outbreak. After about three months without a local Covid case, the outbreak has brought new restrictions across Melbourne, including a requirement for masks indoors and limits to visits at home. The government today announced that that planned new rules for audiences at bars and music venues – originall

2021’s Eurovision Song Contest was confusing – instead of the sparkle and sense of the ridiculous that we’ve come to expect from the competition, we got good music. And while I appreciate the wealth of songs and artists to add to my Spotify playlists, it wasn’t quite the dose of camp I’ve been looking for after a whole two years without my favourite event of the year. But there were still some highlights. Here’s what to catch in case you weren’t able to see it this weekend.

Genevieve Nardella embraces the purist vibes and fashionable accuracy of 2020's Emma reboot.

Joe Wright’s adaptation of the AJ Finn novel The Woman in the Window has finally found a home on Netflix after being delayed due to Covid-19. Frankly, The Woman in the Window should never have seen the light of day. Amy Adams ( Arrival, The Master, The Fighter ) leads a brilliant cast as Dr Anna Fox, an agoraphobe who lives alone in Manhattan and witnesses a brutal murder. What follows is a tedious, boring, and predictable 1 hr 40 min slog trying to figure out what happened

Returnal opens with the words: “When you die or close Returnal , you will always be returned to the crash site, and all non-permanent progression will be lost.” What is touted as Returnal’ s main draw is both its greatest feature and biggest setback. Returnal is a hard game to define. It incorporates elements from third-person looter-shooters, rogue-lites, bullet-hells and Metroidvanias to create one gloriously unique package. The game puts players in the shoes of Selene Vas

Cinemas across the state are slowly coming back to life following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Lido Cinemas Hawthorn assistant manager Hudson Sowada said cinemas had returned to some semblance of normality, though not to pre-Covid strength. “The effects of the pandemic are still being felt,” he said. Cinemas shut last year on March 23, 2020, when Victoria went into its first lockdown and didn’t reopen until November 8. Mr Sowada said one of the early films they showed

With the anticipated mass exodus of travel-hungry Aussies, there’s no better time to acknowledge that our cousins across the ditch can make some seriously good music. And this time, let’s not pretend they’re ours. Here’s a list of the best New Zealand artists of the last decade that you can listen to on your adventures. Then listen to the selected Spotify playlist (link at end). THE BETHS Marrying the vocal melodies of Middle Kids and Ruby Fields with the manic indie guitar

Nomadland is a slow burn, character-driven story that showcases the beginnings of one person’s solitary journey. It captures the essence of what it means to be connected to the earth and to embrace your roots. Nomadland’s vast landscapes cover thousands of miles, from desert to deep forest. Beneath the beautiful imagery, however, is a story about the need for connection in such isolation. Frances McDormand leads a cast of real-life nomads Swankie, Linda and Bob, in their fi

Another Round – a film about a midlife crisis, alcohol and having another go at life – earned the Oscar for Best International Film for Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg. After his previous film Jagten , nominated in the same category, Vinterberg reunited with Danish superstar Mads Mikkelsen ( The Hunt, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Hannibal ). Mikkelsen stars as Martin, a teacher living through a mid-life crisis who, along with three teaching friends, learn of a Norwegian t

REVIEW Film: Minari Starring: Steven Yeun ; Han Ye-ri ; Alan Kim ; Noel Kate Cho; Yuh-jung Youn; Will Patton Director: Lee Isaac Chung Running time : 1 hour 56 minutes Awards: Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for Yuh-jung Youn; many others Showing at: Cinema Nova Verdict: Recommended Minari is a soft, tender and loving film that showcases the hardships migrants experience. It explores the pressure they feel when promising their families a better l