As the new Superman movie "Man of Steel" prepares for its second weekend at the theaters, following a very impressive first week showing, pastors are being urged to show trailers for the film to their congregation and preach about the noted similarities between Superman and Jesus Christ.

"How might the story of Superman awaken our passion for the greatest hero who ever lived and died and rose again?" read a sermon note that was sent to Christian pastors by Warner Bros. Studios, the film company behind "Man of Steel," according to a CNN report.

Several commentaries on the internet have already compared and examined the ways in which the popular superhero can be seen as a reflection of Christ. The new movie, directed by Zack Snyder, features several scenes with symbolism, such as shot where Superman is placed right next to a church painting of Jesus, and a scene where the superhero stretches out his arms in the air like a cross. more >>

The release this week of the movie "This Is the End" coupled with Hollywood's intensifying love affair with apocalyptic-type films gave some pastors in the Staten Island, N.Y.-area a chance to answer a local reporter's question, "Why the fascination?"

"The multiplication of apocalyptic movies is a very interesting phenomenon," said Pastor Dave Watson at Calvary Chapel in Mariners Harbor, as reported in a Staten Island Advance article written by Maura Grunlund. In addition to "This Is the End," the pastor noted that the comedy "Rapture-Palooza" was also released this month.

"As we look at the social, economic, ecological, political and moral problems that the human race faces, it is quite predictable that there would be a market for speculation with how it all ends or resets itself," Watson said. "This speaks, I believe, to a spiritual hunger, a desire by humankind to know, and, if possible, control his or her destiny." more >>

An otherworldly being sends his only son to Earth, in the hopes of him saving humanity from the forces of evil. While this could describe the Gospel story, it could also describe the premise for the Superman story.

Many scholars, social commentators, and comic book enthusiasts have debated the parallels between the Kryptonian superhero and Jesus of Nazareth, with some noting connections between what the Bible says about Jesus and what 75 years of comics and movies have said about Superman.  A recent, mostly humorous, example could be found with a blog entry posted Tuesday on the United Kingdom publication Metro titled "Man of Steel: The top 20 reasons why Superman is Jesus." Listed reasons included both Jesus and Superman having a "humble tradesman" as their adoptive father, superpowers, crucifix poses, and beards.

As America will soon go to theatres to see "Man of Steel," the latest film adaptation of the Superman story to be release on June 14, experts weighed in on the comparisons. more >>

A new documentary that follows the lives of three Russian orphans adopted by American parents will be screened at the Moscow International Film Festival. The filmmaker, Sarah McCarthy, hopes the film will build support to end the ban on Russian adoptions to the United States.

McCarthy never set out to make a political documentary, she explained to The Christian Post. There was no adoption ban when she began the film, "The Dark Matter of Love." It follows the adoption of three Russian children, 11-year-old Masha (11) and five-year-old twin brothers Marcel and Vadim, by the Diaz family – Claudio, Cheryl, and their 15-year-old daughter, Cami.

Parenting adopted kids presents its own unique challenges, which the film makes clear. Kids raised in orphanages tend toward two extremes, Dr. Robert Marvin, a developmental and clinical psychology expert who helps families who adopt orphans, explains in the film. They generally deal with emotion through one of two extremes: frequents outbursts – viewers get a taste of this with Marcel and Vadim's profanity-laden tantrums; or, they shut down all emotion, as Masha expertly demonstrates. more >>

"Man of Steel" hits theaters this weekend bringing Superman back to the big screen for the first time since 2006.

The new film features an all star cast including Diane Lane, Russell Crowe, Henry Cavill, and Kevin Costner. It also was directed by Zack Snyder, who worked on other films such as "Watchmen" and "300." Zack's wife, Deborah Snyder, who was a producer on "Man of Steel," recently spoke to The Christian Post regarding the film and its creation.

The Christian Post: How were you able to create and execute an origin story for Superman that followed a different format than other superhero films? more >>

Mark Burnett, creator of popular TV shows such as "Celebrity Apprentice," "Shark Tank," "Survivor," "The Voice" and most recently the 10-part miniseries "The Bible," has revealed that the upcoming movie version of his biblical epic will be over 2 hours long and focus more on the story of Jesus Christ.

"It's the most important story in the history of the world," Burnett said at the "Produced By" conference on Sunday in Los Angeles, according to The Wrap. "It's completely true…I know it's true….because I feel it in me."

Burnett, who co-produced the series along with his wife, Roma Downey, who also plays the role of Mary the Mother of Jesus, revealed that the new edited version of the Bible movie will be two hours and 13 minutes long, down from the original three hours. While the miniseries was a grand overview of the entire Holy Book, covering stories from the books of Genesis to Revelation, the new film will focus more closely on the New Testament and the story of Christ, potrayed by Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado. more >>