David,
I partly agree with you about the generational gap. But a student who reasons such a stupid comment (parent?s favorite flick) should go back to school. I mean, something is wrong when that?s the only reason to argue. There is also wrong when a major number of students/young wannabe chooses Moulin Rouge as one of their favorites. Again, they need to see and discover lots of other films. And, most important, someone should introduce to them.
For that generational reason I should reject Willis, Almendros, Bartkowiak, Zsigmond, Nikvist or, getting worse, guys like Cortez, Hoch, Alton, Metty, and so on, because they represent the old school. I think art should be considered in other terms. Students, and school staff, should care more about their heritage. You can identify yourself with contemporary figures in sports or even music if you are a MTV brat, but you can?t deal the same way with cinematography if you want to be a cinematographer. After all, that?s why we are so vulnerable in front of the all kind of hypes. No matter what, I wannabe the new Chris Doyle?