Posted on 03/17/2018 8:38:11 AM PDT by EdnaMode
The nation’s moviegoers look to be turning out in bigger numbers for a Christian-themed independent film than for the first mainstream teen movie with a gay main character. Roadside Attractions’ “I Can Only Imagine,” based on the story of the biggest-selling Christian song of all time, is looking at an estimated $14 million-plus for the weekend from 1,629 locations, far outdoing earlier estimates of $2 million-$8 million.
Meanwhile, Fox’s “Love, Simon” is garnering attention for featuring a love story centering on a teenage boy coming out, and is looking at a $12 million-plus weekend on 800 more screens than the faith-based opener. With “Black Panther” still drawing healthy audiences in its fifth weekend, “Love, Simon” is facing the same challenge as “A Wrinkle in Time” did last week to lure moviegoers away from the Disney-Marvel blockbuste
Budgeted at just $7 million, “I Can Only Imagine” tells the story behind the hit song of the same name and of Bart Millard, the leader of Christian rock group MercyMe. J. Michael Finley stars as Millard and Dennis Quaid plays his father in the film from directors Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin, who helmed 2015’s “Woodlawn” and 2014 “Mom’s Night Out.”
“I Can Only Imagine” is benefiting from support from churches and groups as well as from from MercyMe, who have been helping promote the film on social media. Some moviegoers on social media were reporting sell-out crowds in their towns.
The pre-Easter period typically sees the opening of several faith-based films: Next week is Sony’s “Paul, Apostle of Christ,” while threequel “God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness,” from Pureflix, will open on Easter weekend. The first two “God’s Not Dead” movies grossed a total $81.5 million.
Lionsgate’s March 3 opener “The Shack” was the top Christian film of 2017, with $57 million at the domestic box office.
I have no desire to see Love Simon.
Then again, I still have never seen Brokeback.
Just waiting for some liberal outrage over Love Simon. Such as, outrage that some theater somewhere will pull the movie due to the subject matter. In the liberal world, that would be an intolerable outrageous action, worthy of much airtime on alphabet network talking head programs.
It’s nice to see a decent movie outshine a pervert one.
But the premise of “I Can Only Imagine” sounds extremely dull.
Who wrote the song? Barry Manilo?
More interested in seeing Paul, the Apostle.
This film is gonna be YUGE.;-)
Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe
Not dull at all. Glad I brought tissues. First two showings at the theater I was at sold out.
Sexual deviants ranging from queers, to lesbians, to homosexual child molesters, to incest, to bestiality, are widely supported by leftists bent on the destruction of normalcy, decency, and morality. Yes, Sodom has poked its 3 thousand year old head back into a modern society that calls itself progressive, but in truth is completely regressive.
Will there be acts of rimming, fecal-oral transmissions of diseases and shortened life spans of male queers to be addressed in this artistic expression of the sex offender crowd?
Nine of us went to see the Christian movie but sold out. Saw game night instead. Kinda funny. We wiil see other movie when things calm down.
I doubt they will pull it. It has one chaste kiss. Read the reviews so you know what you are talking about. So many conservatives are very ignorant about movies. You made us look like damn fools knocking black panther with all the lies about the movie.
Now that looks boring!!!!! Can’t imagine sitting through that. That will bomb at the box office rightfully so.
Not sure what you are saying. You are saying because this movie isn’t explicit in showing homosexual behavior, then that’s ok? Even though the movie is about homosexuality?
I’m just saying stop the hyperbole. No theater is going to refuse to show this. I could care less about the movie. There are plenty of good ones out there right now. Why do you care that liberals make one movie for themselves? Is that not allowed in America?
wow. just wow.
why do I care that liberals make one movie for themselves? You are really asking if that is not allowed in America?
Given the liberal bent of Hollywood, I can just say, wow, have a nice day...........
Oh brother. Where’s the liberals crying over apostle Paul or the Christian song movie?
Love Simon will not be around long in some of those small town cinemas with 6 to 8 screens. its not killing the competition in a state like West Virginia, trust me,
Liking the Trace Adkins cameo, love his voice.
He has a pretty big role in the movie. Hedid a good job, but Dennis Quaid as the father was outstanding.
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