Based on what you are saying about Gandhi, you seem to be arguing for "importance", which is something I massively push against in debates of this kind. Yes, Gandhi is an important historical figure, but as filmmaking, it is conventional (though Ben Kingsley can keep his Oscar, he was excellent). By contrast, E.T. is bursting with innovation, imagination, and wonder. As a piece of filmmaking it is far superior to my mind. I like Gandhi, but it doesn't beat E.T.

I agree with what you say about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Man on the Moon also being in contention for best Jim Carrey performance. But The Truman Show clinches it for me. :)

Regarding Saving Private Ryan, that won Best Director and I think deserved to, considering in the opening sequence alone, Spielberg changed the way war films were made (it's a huge influence on everything from Black Hawk Down to Letters from Iwo Jima, The Hurt Locker, Hacksaw Ridge, TV series like Band of Brothers, etc, etc). But the beach battle is the best thing about that film. The rest is still very fine, but nothing matches the opening. I think The Truman Show is a better film on points, so I'd have given that one Best Picture. :)