At last night's opening of Superman Returns in New York, Superman himself (or a reasonable facsimile) handed out Christopher Reeve Foundation dog tags & key chains.  Why picture them on the site?  Well, not only is the Foundation the very model of a Good Cause, but the film itself draws heavily on spiritual archetypes.

Superman's resonance with Judeo-Christian themes has not been lost on religious leaders.  Below:  an excerpt from a Christian blog praising the film's . . . marketing campaign!

Having suffered financially in recent years, Hollywood seems eager to win the evangelical market with family-friendly, wholesome, biblically illustrative films. This looks like a job for Superman! But, strangely, Warner Brothers has chosen to ignore churches and pastors in their marketing campaign for "Superman Returns." And for this I say to Warner Brothers, Brian Singer, and everyone responsible for creating and distributing the movie, THANK YOU!

Thank you for not using the church as a money-making vehicle.

Thank you for not hijacking my church’s mission to make disciples by using it to make consumers.

Thank you for not replacing Christian art, symbols, and icons with movie posters and advertisements.

Thank you for not trying to interfere with the ministry of preaching God’s Word by offering pastors rewards for mentioning your film in a sermon.

Thank you for not filling our children’s ministry with Superman plush toys and kryptonite bracelets.

Thank you for not telling me "Superman Returns" is the greatest outreach opportunity in the galaxy.

Thank you for not asking me to rent an entire theater so our members can invite non-Christians to see the film.

Thank you for respecting the integrity of my faith.

And thank you for letting me enjoy "Superman Returns" simply for what it is—a good night at the movies.