I think it’s the subject matter of the movies that are nominated and win, particularly in recent years. It’s as if they are nominated because of the topic, not because of the quality of the movie (see: Erin Brockovich, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Brokeback Mountain, Good Night Good Luck, Munich, The Full Monty, American Beauty, Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, etc.).
Actually, looking back at the list of winners, almost every movie that won from 1981-1995 would make my list of all time favorites. Something occurred in 1996 that made them start nominating political issues.
‘American Beauty’ was an exception that proves the rule. One of the worst to ever win. What was wrong with Shakespeare in Love? ‘The English Patient’ was a throwback to the romantic David Lean-style fare that usually won back in the day. None of those other films won.