augustkellerwrites

A mixture of delightfully refreshing and painfully stale, Lu Over the Wall is a film that shows flashes of greatness but never really comes together as a definitively above-average film. Just like its lead character, Kai, Lu Over the Wall spends a lot of its time going through the motions. While much of this movie is uniquely displayed from a visual standpoint, most of what's being conveyed is an obvious plot-line told through point-blank dialogue & characterizations. Simplicity is sometimes to be expected from cartoons but Lu Over the Wall plays its narrative hand so plainly that it may have its viewers bored before the halfway point.

The playful direction and cinematic choices of this movie may help hold the attention of its viewers but, due to Lu Over The Wall's meandering pace, I would not be surprised if some will be eager for the ending. There is beautiful, frightening and humorous imagery in this movie and enough overall quality that I would say the film was an enjoyable experience. But there is also enough fat along the way that I won't be eager to experience it again. In the end, Lu Over the Wall's combination of ancient folklore, modern music and striking images gives it a special feel that is, unfortunately, overshadowed by its limited script.

Writing: 5/10 Direction: 7/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Acting: 7/10 Editing: 6/10 Sound: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack: 7/10 Production Design: 7/10 Casting: 7/10 Effects: 8/10

Overall Score: 6.9/10

Johnny Knoxville may still be taking lumps for laughs but it is his audience that will be feeling the pain after Action Point. Crude humor can be a fun experience but when the craft of the movie itself feels juvenile, it alienates its audience. The story is plain, many scenes aren't earned and much of the acting is half-assed. I find it telling that Eleanor Cox (merely 16 years old) was the only cast members consistently doing her job. Action Point is so sloppy, it's unprofessional.

Essentially, the direction and editing of Action Point are non-existent as the film aimlessly jumps across loosely-connected situations. Many scenes are blatantly pointless but that really could be said of Action Point overall. In the end, this movie might be good for some grins & nostalgia here & there, but it comes with an insulting lack of preparation. Skip Action Point because it doesn't respect your time.

Writing: 1/10 Direction: 1/10 Cinematography: 2/10 Acting: 2/10 Editing: 2/10 Sound: 5/10 Score/Soundtrack: 6/10 Production Design: 5/10 Casting: 2/10 Effects: 6/10

Overall Score: 3.2/10

Shallow characters in deep waters, Adrift is lost at sea. Centered around uninteresting people and their uninteresting relationship, this movie gets its audience from start to finish with the suspense of drying paint. To be fair, there are parts of Adrift that are surprisingly refreshing: an interesting plot development, a quality closing shot (pre-unnecessary epilogue) and immersive sound throughout the scenes on water. However, these refreshing moments are like islands dotting a vast ocean of mediocre romance.

Fundamental aspects of Adrift (such as dialogue and editing) are conducted in such obtuse and formulaic fashions that the film is doomed to be forgettable. Because its emotional connections never truly hit its viewers, the direction of Adrift lands somewhere between clumsy and inept. The sequence of scenes is arbitrary, the relationships are underdeveloped, and the clashing special effects undercut the tension. Adrift does make occasionally good efforts but, overall, it's washed up.

Writing: 4/10 Direction: 2/10 Cinematography: 5/10 Acting: 5/10 Editing: 2/10 Sound: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack: 5/10 Production Design: 4/10 Casting: 5/10 Effects: 3/10

Overall Score: 4.4/10