Effective Story Telling?

(**disclaimer; Malick is (one of, if not) my favorite film maker and I loathe reviewing his work "the next morning" prior to a 2nd viewing)

I took in Terry Malick's latest last night; "KNIGHT OF CUPS", to mixed feelings (unfortunately)... I've been trying to construct a cohesive review in my head, but it's not going well. Essentially, I'm stuck on the notion of whether what he's done in his last 2 efforts (incl TO THE WONDER) are in fact effective story telling. Entertainment is in the eye of the beholder obviously, but films have always been a medium to tell a story. Abstract or not...

I worship Malick's approach to de-emphasizing plot machination in lieu of capturing the human condition through "moments"... I think its beautiful and moving. Not just stylistically, but thematically. His contemporary work is a spectrum with THIN RED LINE falling on the linear/story end, and TREE OF LIFE exploring the more ethereal/spiritual side of said spectrum... then there's his last 2. Sans dialogue, arc or overt conflict. It's inspirational, and utterly frustrating at the same time... you almost get to connect with a moment before being blown away in a gust to the next scene.

I'm settling on each being a great depiction of struggle, but without the journey... but is that enough to be an "effective" film? Do these 2 entrees fill the requirements to labeled stories? Or are they guilty of breaking the contract between the viewer and the director? ...is it all just abstract emotional masturbation...

What is film... (lol *beep* you Terry, you've ruined me again)