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I almost gave this gem a miss because the publicity synopsis did not sound compelling and the photo stills were not captivating. However, and thankfully, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check it out while it was still playing on the big screen. The story takes place in northwestern China and having been to this area made me interested in wanting to revisit it via this film. And wow, what an amazingly breathtaking viewing experience it turned out to be. From the opening scene set amid a sandstorm in rural Gansu province to the closing zoom shot of a bleak city landscape, this is a beautifully photographed movie about a child's relationship with his grandfather. Standing out from among an excellent cast is newcomer Ouyang Wenxin, who is heartbreakingly perfect in fleshing out the role of a boy who is never quite contented and has to learn to accept life's circumstances sometimes the hard way. I now look forward to watching more films by director Wang Xiaoshuai as well as works featuring the cast members.

I was wondering how different would Disney's remake of its animated classic be, and it turns out to be really different. Instead of a Prince Charming, this time we have a bandit king. And Dopey, who looks like a cute version of Dobby from Harry Potter, turns out to actually be spunky.

The wicked Queen is played by the glamorous Gal Gadot, who is clearly relishing the chance to be a baddie. She is the fun one to watch. Rachel Zegler inhabits the titular role with sufficient conviction.

The songs by Pasek and Paul are not as memorable as their earlier works, although their version of Heigh-Ho is at least clever and feisty.

The biggest letdown has to be the kiss that broke the magic spell. It is supposed to be a true love's kiss but what we see is such a weak and hesitant attempt it is truly a miracle that it was enough to wake the unconscious princess.

Compared to the animated classic, this go-round is not as sweet and straightforward but today's audiences will take what they can get.

Robbie Williams is not only an exceptional performer, he is also a larger-than-life entertainer, so any biopic of him has to be interesting. But as if that alone is not enough, he is portrayed by an ape in this movie, which makes it wonderfully appropriate. I mean, why not? Jonno Davies, who plays Williams via the CGI chimp, is nothing short of remarkable. The biopic is no-holds-barred, and does not sugarcoat Robbie's excesses. His redemption at the end will at least bring a lump to the throat. It's a gripping, but also endearing, take on the life thus far of a boy who wanted to "light 'em up" like Sinatra, and then did it "my way".