Speaking of Tone Deaf to Foreign Films

Of course, I predicted that Germany's formulaic "The Lives of Others" would win the foreign language Oscar, but it still seems a little strange that this should be the thing to stop the (better, and certainly more original) "Pan's Labyrinth's" sweep.
I know "Others" has its critical champions. But let's see:
Big fat German bureaucrat abuses his power for his sexual pleasure? Check
Party loyalist without a life is humanized by exposure to art and beauty? Check
"Ve haf vays of making you talk?" Check
Seen it all before. But that makes it easy for academy voters to digest, I guess.