“Is there something inherent in the act of viewing pictures at the rate of 30 per second that causes one to distance themselves from HaShem regardless of the content (as you claim)?”
No, watching a movie is inherently no worse than reading a book. However, the vast, vast majority of movies have either inappropriate images, so-called “morals” in direct conflict with those given to us by the Torah, or both. So seeing as 99% of movies are inappropriate for a frum person, some have taken the prudent move of not watching any movies at all.