The anniversary of the shrine at Lourdes is a good reminder of the lovely performance of Jennifer Jones in “Song of Bernadette,” the story of the young girl who saw “a beautiful lady” and became Saint Bernadette Soubirous.

If Wes Andersen ever decides to treat his characters with the same loving attention he treats his props, he will make better movies. Oh the tschotchkes in this movie! It’s like a long, loving J. Peterman catalogue commercial. If only the people in front of and carting around all of these delectable objects were as intriguing as the objects themselves. Especially those being carted around — the fabulous numbered matching set of luggage brought along on this journey is more compelling than the people carrying it.
That would be the three estranged brothers who inherited the baggage, both metaphorical and literal. The journey is organized by Francis (Owen Wilson, with his head elaborately bandaged through most of the movie), who has brought along an aide with a printer and a laminating machine to hand tuck daily itineraries under the door of the title train’s compartment. Francis has invited Peter (stork-legged Adrien Brody) and Jack (Jason Schwartzman) to take the train ride with him after a year apart following their father’s funeral.
It is beautiful to look at and there are some intriguing developments. But they are encrusted with precious quirkiness and ironic air quotes that get in the way. Casual cruelty and cool reactions to tragedy attempt fall short of insight. Too much goes on around the edges and too little goes on in the center of the screen.
There are brief moments that show what Anderson is capable of. A pan through the train cars, reminiscent of Joan Crawford’s dazzling vision in “Possessed,” makes us want to see the movie that sensibility is capable of.

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One of the oldest surviving stories is retold through one of the most modern of technologies in a thrilling 3-D adventure from director Robert Zemeckis.

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It was great to see “The Counterfeiters” win the foreign language Oscar last night. writer-director Stefan Ruzowitsky and lead actor Karl Markovics told me how thrilled they were to be nominated, and how much they were looking forward to attending. I enjoyed Ruzowitsky’s graceful acceptance speech, and I hope Markovics got his wish to meet Gene Hackman!

Better than the Oscars! Beliefnet announces its picks for the best spiritual movies and performances of last year. I like these awards because they honor what is inspiring and moving, because they let both professionals and movie fans vote, and because they provide pro and con arguments for each of the nominees that are thought-provoking and insightful.

Cheers to the winners and all the nominees!
Judges
Best feature film: “Amazing Grace,” the story of William Wilberforce, pioneering abolitionist
Best performance: Emile Hirsch in “Into the Wild” (my argument for is here)
Best documentary: “Into Great Silence,” which brings audiences into the world of the Grande Chartreuse, one of the world’s most ascetic monasteries.

Beliefnet readers:
Best feature film: “Amazing Grace”
Best performance: Will Smith as the last man on earth in “I am Legend”
Best documentary: “For the Bible Tells Me So,” an exploration of tolerance for and acceptance of homosexuality within the religious traditions