I agree with Ken, but the films must be strategically chosen, and, I've made the mistake of thinking the film replaces the discussion.
CALIS/TIRP at USC, a program I used to run and with which I remain affiliated, has developed some good approaches to how to use good films constructively.
Best,
Last semester I led a colloquium that was entirely film-based. We
watched 14 films (one per week), each of which I gave a brief contextual
preface (critical reception, important philosophical influences or
parallels, and key political concepts to look for). After each
screening, we discussed those
I for one "count" the showing of films as part of the reading load,
and will screen three to five films over the semester during the
evening. I hang out in the back and do other stuff (grading,
mostly), and I insure that the films are integrated into the course
in meaningful ways...discussion,
