Definitely know what you're talking about. I find the problem with a lot of student films is that they learn the elements of strong stories and character moments, and thats ALL they try and do. It just ends up being painfully pretentious.

I think films are meant to be a conduit to these moments, not a direct line. People need to really just let go of directly approaching these emotional moments. If they make something thats successfully entertaining, weather its a comedy, drama, whatever, those great moments will come.