Fireproof, the latest movie from the makers of the surprise hit Facing the Giants, finished fourth at the box office this weekend, pulling in $6.5 million despite opening in just 839 theaters. The film, made on a $500,000 budget, averaged almost $7,800 per theater, second in the per theater average only to Eagle Eye ($8,300 per), which finished No. 1 overall with $29 million on 3,500 screens.

Michael Silberman, head of distribution for Samuel Goldwyn, called the Fireproof numbers "sensational," and said the film will expand to over 1,000 theaters in the coming weeks. (By contrast, Facing the Giants earned just $1.3 million in its opening weekend two years ago, in 441 theaters. But it was a film with "legs," and hung around theaters long enough to earn over $10 million in its 4-month run.)

Even before Fireproof's release on Friday, indications were that advance tickets sales were "hot, hot, hot," according to the Thomasville (Ga.) Times-Enterprise. Many of those sales came from churches buying out entire theaters. Even Fireproof merch—especially the book The Love Dare—is selling like mad.

But the movie isn't just generating buzz among Christians; mainstream publications are also talking about the film and the Kendrick brothers, Alex and Stephen, the men behind the movies.

USA Today notes that the Kendricks employ their faith not just in the content of their movies, but also in the way they make those movies: "They don't pay their actors. Volunteers build the sets. Sunday school kids cater. And when production hits a snag, they don't ask for more money. They pray." The article also notes their successful they are. "And they're getting the kind of return on their films that would make Spielberg envious. Their first theatrical release, 2006's Facing the Giants, about a struggling football coach, cost $100,000 and raked in $10 million in theaters."

WRBL, a TV station in Georgia, did a nice story on the film's focus on saving marriages.

Kirk Cameron, who plays the lead role in Fireproof, has been getting a lot of ink too. He spoke of love and family in this interview, of his priorities here, and how the movie's for everyone, "whether you have faith in God or not," here.

Meanwhile, the film is receiving some positive reviews, even from secular critics. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal urges married couples to see the film, and to bring other couples with them, citing the movie's positive insights about marriage as well as its "compelling storyline."

In other movie news:

Oliver Stone says W. is "human and true to the man" (USA Today)
Director defends film as "a fair portrait" of Bush (AFP)

Roger Moore compares Expelled with Religulous (Orlando Sentinel)
Says he likes Maher's film, then bashes Expelled … again

Johnny Depp returning to play Captain Jack (Coming Soon)
Reprises role for 4th Pirates film; also in Alice; and may play Tonto (MTV)

Disney unveils slew of new projects (Coming Soon)
Including new Pixar flicks, Sandra Bullock rom-com, Wild Hogs 2, and more

Paul Newman dies of cancer at age 83 (AP)
Had a 50-year marriage and was generous donor to charities

I Am Legend prequel on the way (Variety)
Will Smith to reprise his starring role

EMI CMG partners with First Look Studios (press release)
To focus on faith and family DVDs; Apostles of Comedy is first

Court: No punitive damages in LOTR suit (AP)
Tolkien's heirs claim New Line Cinema failed to pay royalties

© 2008 Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

Read more  'News'

				Try 3 Issues of Christianity Today FREE! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Christianity Today as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

Subscribe to the FREE CT at the Movies Newsletter:    RSS Feed   RSS Help