View Full Version : ‘Fireproof’ Earns Twice As Much As ‘Religulous’


Brian Damage
11-05-2008, 09:10 PM
http://screenrant.com/fireproof-earns-twice-religulous-box-office-vic-4054/

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Bolstered by its opening in more than 100 new theaters, "Fireproof" finished in the top 10 again on a per-theater average gross over the weekend according to studio estimates -- an unusual feat considering it has been in theaters now for six weekends.

The latest release from the makers of "Facing the Giants," Fireproof grossed an average of $1,979 per theater, placing it at No. 9 in that category. It ended up No. 13 in weekend gross with $1.75 million, helping it pass $26 million in total gross.

Perhaps most impressive, it lost only 18.5 percent from the previous weekend -- the second smallest drop among all movies in the top 20 that have been out more than one weekend.

It played in 887 theaters over the weekend, and movie officials said it was still playing in 80 percent of the theaters in which it opened.

Some moviegoers and bloggers have watched with interest how the Christian movie fares against "Religulous," an anti-Christian, anti-religion documentary starring comedian Bill Maher. So far, Fireproof has won that contest. Released one week after Fireproof, Religulous beat Fireproof on a per-theater average its first two weekends, but has dropped significantly since then and has lost to Fireproof on a per-theater average the last three weekends -- even though Fireproof has been in theaters one week longer. Religulous finished No. 21 in weekend gross ($550,000) and averaged $1,358 at theaters over the weekend. It has grossed $11.4 million in five weekends. Religulous cost $2.5 million to make; Fireproof cost $500,000.

Fireproof tells the story of how a firefighting captain played by Kirk Cameron works to save his failing marriage. "The Love Dare," a book featured in the movie," was No. 1 for three straight weeks on The New York Times' paperback advice bestseller list before dropping to No. 2 in the Oct. 31 list. It is published by B&H Publishing Group.

Schmoopie
11-06-2008, 02:57 AM
That is amazing. I cannot wait to see this movie! It's done remarkably well!

Andrea

MusicJunkie
11-06-2008, 04:28 PM
I don't see why there's even a comparison between these two movies. Kirk Cameron makes me sick, he is every single negative stereotype about an evangelist and the type of person Bill was rightfully going after in his movie. Bill Maher, I don't agree with everything he says, but he seems more like a down to earth guy who doesn't put himself on a pedestal above everyone else. Kirk will always be a poor mans Michael J. Fox in my book.

Brad Russ
11-07-2008, 01:19 AM
I think it's awesome how well Fireproof is doing. It's rare that a Christian film, (with a couple exceptions) ends up doing this well. I loved Facing The Giants, so Fireproof is definitely on my to-see list!!

MusicJunkie
11-07-2008, 01:36 AM
I hope people didn't think I was bashing Christianity when I said that Kirk makes me sick. Lisa Whelchel comes to mind as an outspoken born-again Christian and I have the utmost respect for her.

With Kirk, I just don't like how pompous he acts, like he's better than everyone. To profess your love of God is one thing... to have a tacky TV series where he walk up to people and tell them they're going to hell for sinning is another thing. Especially since Kirk forgets he's still a man, and every man is a sinner to a degree. Plus, I never cared for Growing Pains much even back in the day, but his attitude since has made me like the show less.

Just wanted to clear things up from my earlier post.

Brad Russ
11-07-2008, 02:01 AM
I hope people didn't think I was bashing Christianity when I said that Kirk makes me sick. Lisa Whelchel comes to mind as an outspoken born-again Christian and I have the utmost respect for her.

With Kirk, I just don't like how pompous he acts, like he's better than everyone. To profess your love of God is one thing... to have a tacky TV series where he walk up to people and tell them they're going to hell for sinning is another thing. Especially since Kirk forgets he's still a man, and every man is a sinner to a degree. Plus, I never cared for Growing Pains much even back in the day, but his attitude since has made me like the show less.

Just wanted to clear things up from my earlier post.

No offense taken with me. You have the right to your opinion, and I know alot of others who feel the same way.

MusicJunkie
11-07-2008, 02:10 AM
No offense taken with me. You have the right to your opinion, and I know alot of others who feel the same way.
I would respect him better if he was a little less "fire and brimstone" approached and was more about telling people how to be saved, instead of telling them it's too late because they told a lie or had lust in their heart. Things Kirk is probably guilty of as well.

Brad Russ
11-07-2008, 02:15 AM
I would respect him better if he was a little less "fire and brimstone" approached and was more about telling people how to be saved, instead of telling them it's too late because they told a lie or had lust in their heart. Things Kirk is probably guilty of as well.

Yeah, he can be pretty overbearing at times, and is even that way for me being the sinner that I am. I haven't watched his show for a couple years for that very reason. I think he means well, but yeah, his approach isn't always one that I agree with.

Schmoopie
11-07-2008, 04:56 AM
I hope people didn't think I was bashing Christianity when I said that Kirk makes me sick. Lisa Whelchel comes to mind as an outspoken born-again Christian and I have the utmost respect for her.

With Kirk, I just don't like how pompous he acts, like he's better than everyone. To profess your love of God is one thing... to have a tacky TV series where he walk up to people and tell them they're going to hell for sinning is another thing. Especially since Kirk forgets he's still a man, and every man is a sinner to a degree. Plus, I never cared for Growing Pains much even back in the day, but his attitude since has made me like the show less.

Just wanted to clear things up from my earlier post.


No offense taken! I'm not what I would call "religious" but I am a Christian. However, Evangelists make me cringe, trying to get everyone to believe what they believe. Yeah, Kirk has really changed, but it was really the romantic "aspect" of this movie that makes me want to see it. I'm still wondering if it's going to have a lot of religious tones to it. I don't mind a few-I mean, seriously, Mad Men shows married men sleeping around and then shows a priest in a church as a major character, but it doesn't bother me at all. A few references are okay, but not the entire series.

Actually I do watch religious TV stations occasionally; Ever seen those stations-I think one is called Daybreak, where they play either religious or instrumental music and will show nature scenes? I love those stations, because usually when I tune in, it's because I've been surfing channels and came across a gorgeous scene. Then they purposely (I think) make you wait a while-like a minute or so-before showing you what state or area (usually pretty generic-they'll say either "Montana" or "Australia") the scene is from. In 2002, I went to Australia and I found this gorgeous place to go from watching that station. It's called "The Twelve Apostles"

Isn't this a gorgeous scene?

ABlairican Pie
11-09-2008, 01:51 PM
I dunno, Kirk Cameron irritates me, and I have a huge rant against how he treated his co-stars about twenty years ago on "Growing Pains" after he got "born again", and I'm a little tired of his "Way Of the Master" thing where he equates the smallest of sins as sending you on your merry way to eternal hellfire. Quite the loving God, right? :rolleyes: I have had a few discussions with a street ministry team in town who meet with people at the bus stop and ply listeners with this same kind of evangelism approach. They ask you if you ever lied (I told them I never have ;) ), stolen anything, gotten angry, or lusted--which we all have, of course, but their response was, well, that makes you a lying, thieving, murderous adulterer! :eek: Lying makes you a liar, stealing anything (even a toy airplane from a store, like I did when I was four) makes you guilty of larceny, angry thoughts or words leads to murder, and having a sexual thought makes you an adulterer, even in thought. The thought equals the act! So I've heard this thing all before. I didn't tell these guys that I was a Christian, I just wanted to see what their response would be if they thought I wasn't.

But the thing about this 'Fireproof' movie, is that it sounds kinda cute, corny, and family-ish, if you know Kirk is in it. I don't know, I just get that feeling. Sometimes when Christians do movies, it's all so toned-down and innocuous. I guess I'd have to see it for myself. Still, I think it's succeeding over Bill Maher's flick because after all, it tells a story. Maher's picture might be interesting and provocative, I'd see it, even if it gets a little heavy handed and biased, from what I've read. It's supposed to be like a documentary, so people aren't necessarily tempted to see something like that as with something with action and drama.


So my question is: Are people seeing 'Fireproof' because it's a good movie, or that it's a good Christian movie?

MusicJunkie
11-09-2008, 04:50 PM
I dunno, Kirk Cameron irritates me, and I have a huge rant against how he treated his co-stars about twenty years ago on "Growing Pains" after he got "born again", and I'm a little tired of his "Way Of the Master" thing where he equates the smallest of sins as sending you on your merry way to eternal hellfire. Quite the loving God, right? :rolleyes: I have had a few discussions with a street ministry team in town who meet with people at the bus stop and ply listeners with this same kind of evangelism approach. They ask you if you ever lied (I told them I never have ;) ), stolen anything, gotten angry, or lusted--which we all have, of course, but their response was, well, that makes you a lying, thieving, murderous adulterer! :eek: Lying makes you a liar, stealing anything (even a toy airplane from a store, like I did when I was four) makes you guilty of larceny, angry thoughts or words leads to murder, and having a sexual thought makes you an adulterer, even in thought. The thought equals the act! So I've heard this thing all before. I didn't tell these guys that I was a Christian, I just wanted to see what their response would be if they thought I wasn't.

But the thing about this 'Fireproof' movie, is that it sounds kinda cute, corny, and family-ish, if you know Kirk is in it. I don't know, I just get that feeling. Sometimes when Christians do movies, it's all so toned-down and innocuous. I guess I'd have to see it for myself. Still, I think it's succeeding over Bill Maher's flick because after all, it tells a story. Maher's picture might be interesting and provocative, I'd see it, even if it gets a little heavy handed and biased, from what I've read. It's supposed to be like a documentary, so people aren't necessarily tempted to see something like that as with something with action and drama.


So my question is: Are people seeing 'Fireproof' because it's a good movie, or that it's a good Christian movie?
yea, what I find so funny about the "Way Of The Master" (I'm sorry, that sounds like a really bad movie with someone like Jet Li or Chow Yun-Fat) is that the tables are never turned on Kirk or that Australian dude. Considering both of you are human, you've lied and had lust in your heart even in the last day. So it goes back to those who cast the first stone....

catlover79
11-09-2008, 04:59 PM
I haven't seen this movie myself, but my sister and brother-in-law did and they loved it. I just may wait for the DVD and watch it at home.

JamesG
11-09-2008, 05:27 PM
I wanted to make sure:

Is Kirk Cameron the brother of Candace Cameron of Full House? I never put the two and two together.

ABlairican Pie
11-10-2008, 12:20 AM
I'm looking at the top of the screen and finding an ad for "The God Who Wasn't There", some
"scholarly" diatribe doubting the existence of Christ. It wasn't just the authors in the Bible who claimed Jesus was real, non-Christian scholars in Jesus' day such as Roman author Josephus accounted for His life.

Tubehead
11-10-2008, 02:06 PM
Kirk Cameron the brother of Candace Cameron
yea their both brother and sisters. i didn't know unitl someone told me