I've always thought it was interesting that films, unlike literature, have a stereotype that by using them the teacher is being lazy and the kids are being cheated.

This article proves otherwise:

When Gwen Bailey began teaching film last year at Richard Lindblom High School on Chicago's south side, she noticed that several of her students were barely passing their other classes.

To Ms. Bailey's surprise, however, many not only earned an 'A' in film, but went on to improve their other grades, too. "It's because film is an excellent way to examine life," says Bailey, who shows films like "Citizen Kane" and "Rashomon."

If used correctly and if thoughtfully planned out, film is a great learning tool. Couldn't lit books/novels also be used by lazy teachers? "Read chapters 1-7 by Thursday", how many students here that a week?