David, it is not a good idea to limit the number of tools a cinematographer uses to help tell the story, and I believe that many cinematographers get routed into a way of thinking that actually narrow their ideas due to this type of attitude. But beyond that the zoom is a tool, just like a dolly or steadi-cam or a crane. I can't agree with you saying they shouldn't use one of the tools in the toolbox. I'm not saying it should be used in every film, but I just don't understand knocking intelligent directors whom, to me at least, use it just beautifully, and this includes basically all of the great directors. You forgot a big advocate of the zoom, Sergio Leone, and yes, Stanley Kubrick did great zooms as well. In "Full Metal Jacket" the zoom through the hole in the wall to Arliss Howard before he gets shot is just brilliant. And in "The Conformist" with the woman lying on the desk and it zooms back to the huge room with the black and white pattern on the floor. Sven Nykvist and Ingmar Bergman used the zoom in a similar manner within a few of their films, as well.
I also love the zoom in "Death in Venice" of the whore in the mirror...one of the ten greatest shots in any film ever. With that said, it seems to be a technique that was more utilized in films during the late 60's and early 70's, you rarely see it used anymore (Brian De Palma, with his brilliant 'de-zooming,' being one exception), and I think much of it has to do with the idea that it is a "no, no" and cinematographers stay away from it, but if it helps tell the story then why never use it? Is Altman really the only director who does it to your specifications?
Personally, I think what needs to be looked into is handheld, which is still very much being used (and overused) in many films. I like handheld too, sometimes I love it, but only selectively where I feel it has an ultimate purpose (whether in a singular scene, such as the forest sequence in "The Conformist," or the basis of a film's style, such as "Husbands and Wives" or "Rosetta"). To a lesser extent (because you just don't see them that often) I do feel the same way about zooms, but I think far, far more than one director have utilized them in an intelligent and meaningful way.
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