'Fireproof' Shows Christian Movies Sell

ABC News ^ | October 03, 2008 | LUCHINA FISHER

[Berlin_Freeper]

You can almost picture the Hollywood studio execs scratching their heads

A film that was made for $500,000, relied more on word of mouth than television and print ads, and is headlined by an actor best known for a 1980s television show, opens at No. 4 in the country and rakes in $6.8 million in ticket sales.

"Where did this come from? We didn't see this on the radar," actor Kirk Cameron imagined the execs saying. "What is 'Fireproof?'"

After this week, few will be left wondering. The Christian-themed film, which stars Cameron as a firefighter whose marriage is on the rocks, is the latest aimed at the 80-million strong evangelical audience. And, like the instant popularity of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, it's a sign that the strength of the evangelical community has not waned.

[Guenevere]

We see so few movies...but this one is on our ‘must see’ list.

[truthandlife]

Here is the movie trailer:

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Another thread on it:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2090292/posts

Looks good!

[Outrance]

Yeah, I hope to see it as well. I’m looking forward to that one “American Carol” too. I haven’t been interested in going to the movies in a while but these two look good.

[laotzu]

For the Kendricks, "Fireproof" is more than a film, it's a mission. The brothers are ministers at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Their production company, Sherwood Pictures, is actually a ministry of the 3,000-member church. And all profits from the film are funneled back into the church.

"Some people are out there to win an Oscar, and we're looking to win people's hearts," said Jim McBride, the church's executive pastor and executive producer of "Fireproof."

Pretty kool.

[cantweall]

There is more in the figures than just simply a surprise landing at #4. The movie was shown on only 839 screens, as opposed to most major motion pictures that show on 2500-3000 screens. In other words, the average $ per screen is $8110, placing it just behind “Eagle Eye” at $8305, and almost double “Nights in Rodanthe” at $4962 per screen. (This is the opening week for all three movies.)

Remember, capitalism flourishes only when it is enabled. In this case, hopefully the movie distributors will smell the money and allow the movie to be placed on more screens soon.

[Airwinger]

The wife and I saw “Fireproof” opening weekend. Excellent movie with surprisingly strong acting and outstanding film quality. A must see for anyone that may be having ANY marriage issues, and a need to see for everyone else! *****

[joebellis]

Another good recommendation would be “Facing the Giants”. It came out two years ago and is available on DVD. Excellent movie.

I don't do theaters. Can't wait for “Fireproof” to hit the DVD shelves.

[Always A Marine]

We also saw Fireproof last weekend, and it was great -- and Kirk Cameron was the ONLY professional actor in the whole production! One of the main supporting actors was a Marine captain who was a church member while serving at the nearby USMC Logistics Base -- and is now serving in Iraq. The story is exciting and relevant, the acting is believable and easy to identify with, and the cinematography is oustanding.

This is the second film that this dynamic congregation has produced. Facing the Giants is a football-themed thriller that was very good and worth seeing on DVD. Fireproof is a big step up in scope and quality, and it's hard to believe that the acting and filming was done by amateur volunteers. And may God continue to bless Chick-fil-A for assisting with the film's publicity and distribution.

Go. See. Fireproof. You will be glad you did!

[Between the Lines]

"It's surprising to me what's happening," Alex Kendrick said. "But I'm not surprised about what God can do."

Or as he said in his last movie "We serve a big God and nothing is impossible for Him."

[Always A Marine]

I don't do theaters. Can't wait for “Fireproof” to hit the DVD shelves.

This might be a worthy exception to your rule. Something this good and so against the odds is deserving of our dollars.

[longtermmemmory]

the commercials seem to make it more of a chick flick.

[Between the Lines]

It is actually their third film. The first was Flywheel.

http://www.flywheelthemovie.com/

[kimmie7]

Not only will I see it because of its great reviews, but because these folks actually “walk the walk”. When it came time for Cameron’s character to kiss his wife, it was shot in silhouette with Cameron’s actual wife standing in so he wouldn’t have to compromise. Not even for “art”...which is an all-too-common excuse.

[jimtorr]

The novelization was written by the son of a very good friend of mine, Eric Wilson. Eric is an excellent writer. He has also written the novelization of “Facing the Giants” and “Flywheel”. Eric has released a number of original books, as well.

“Fireproof”, the book, can be found at Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Fireproof-Eric-Wilson/dp/1595547169/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223038715&sr=8-1

[Between the Lines]

It is not a chick flick, but it is definitely a date movie.

Take your wife, hold hands and share a box of popcorn. After all, that is what the movie is all about.

[AT7Saluki]

“When people butcher our films on Rotten Tomatoes and say, ‘This isn’t Oscar-winning material,’ we say, ‘We know!’ We’re just people who are working with what we have at a small church in Georgia. It’s truly a loaves and fishes story.” - Stephen Kendrick

Compare to mega-million dollar flops.

[Manic_Episode]

We loved both Flywheel and Facing The Giants by these guys and very much look forward to seeing Fireproof.

I just wrote an email to my local theater asking about it as it doesn't appear to be scheduled there.

[bray]

Its actually their third movie. Flywheel was there first, another excellent story.

Pray for W, McCuda and Our Troops

[WaleskyJ]

I am going too see American carol today!