Oscar checklist !
Me and my friend RL prepared a small list, which lists down 'THE' factors that must be present in a movie so as to get a Academy award Nomination.

1. It should be narrated by a drawling gruff voice
2. It should have at least one flashback scene
3. It should begin in a tragedy and end with healing or vice versa
4. It should have an amazing soundtrack.
5. Somebody important must die in the end.
6. It should have at least one character in one of the leading roles
from a different race/ethnicity.

This checklist was prepared after a 'careful' study of many Hollywood movies which won Oscars/ was nominated for Oscars.
you can verify with this year Nominations.
watched 'Cold Mountain' and was happy to see 5/6 factors present in that movie, no wonder it won an Oscar Nomination.
To be honest, the movie sucked badly and was highly overrated !!