Our five faves of the moment: Johnny Cash bio, 'Thor: The Dark World,' more

1 Saying never let facts get in the way of a good story, Johnny Cash had a mythic life and legendary career. But the good and the bad of his colorful story are told in "Johnny Cash: The Life," which is more thorough, compelling and honest than even his own two autobiographies. Los Angeles Times music critic Robert Hilburn was not only at Folsom Prison when Cash famously performed there in 1968, but he interviewed him throughout his career and did extensive research and interviews with Cash's associates and family to compile this monumental biography.

2 "Thor: The Dark World," the latest chapter in Marvel's never-ending movie series, takes a while to find its narrative momentum, but its later, better scenes have a loony oomph that drowns out your misgivings. It elevates comic-book pandemonium to new heights of clamor. Joyous Pop Art excess permeates every frame. The movie demonstrates that even without a compelling villain, you can have a jam-packed whirligig of a superhero movie — one with the best ending of any comic-book adaptation.

3 Even though his wife, Golde, sounds like she's from Scandinavia, Keith Rice is a perfect Tevye in Chanhassen's "Fiddler on the Roof." Not only does he have a credible Russian accent, he has a bravura singing voice, commanding dramatic style and impeccable timing as he brings an unexpected brand of humor — a little cheeky, a little hammy. The choreography and staging, especially the dream scene, are top-notch, but some of the characters' accents — oy vey. www.chanhassentheatres.com

4 Whether it's her spiritual record, her most worldly record or her most personal record — all valid assessments — M.I.A.'s "Matangi" isn't as serious as all that sounds. And that's a good thing. The Sri Lankan-born, London-based rapper uses more South Asia-styled grooves and foreign-ghetto slang than ever before on her fourth album, and yet she maintains a Madonna-esque wiliness. Out Tuesday

5 Once again, a smart TV series from across the Atlantic fascinates by melding sophistication and suspense. "The Returned" is set in a small French town where people who have been dead for several years, including a silent boy (Swann Nambotin), suddenly begin turning up alive. But far from being zombies, they are sentient beings who look just as they did before dying. Also, there's a serial killer on the loose. With subtitles. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Sundance.