Interesting, but in my opinion just because the King's Speech isn't sweeping and epic doesn't mean it isn't good. Likewise, it might not be *challenging* but that doesn't mean it's not *important*. Huge blockbusters featuring wars and ideas and aliens can be entertaining, but most people can't really connect to the events therein. Personal development, however, is far more sympathetic, and something we can all relate too - hence it's propensity for success at awards ceremonies.
Class conflict + reconciliation, love, war etc are indeed Oscar bait topics; but I'd argue that is because they're universally interesting and engaging. Furthermore, overcoming something is a central component in almost every story, since giddy acquiescence tends to stagnate.
The point about looking attractive while having a disability is spot-on, however, as is the point on war as a moral framing device - since it really does facilitate the audience liking the protagonist(s) regardless of his/her actions.
Of course, there are films like Inception, that seem to do a bit of all of the above, combining elements of action blockbuster with personal development and "ideas-movie" elements, but these tend to feel a little "cold" and suffer *because* they're too dense with powerful elements.
Oh, and the point about the upper/lower classes coming together making millionaires feel better about giving each other gold statuettes was priceless! Brilliantly observed.
