Kirk Cameron has not been seen on a movie screen in seven years, but guess who is the hottest ticket heading into the weekend?With regard to advance sales, Cameron's dramatic "Fireproof", a super low-budget marriage themed family Christian drama opening in 800 theaters, has out-sold Shia LaBeouf's $105 million, country-wide opening of thriller "Eagle Eye".
Related Story: Shia LaBeouf In "Eagle Eye" - Early Review And Movie Trailer
But don't let the numbers fool you. The concept of advanced sales doesn't always shed accurate light on the long-term success of a film. In fact, it can be downright misleading. Industry analysts are not surprised, and believe the religious nature of the film lends itself to aggressive group sales.
That market for "Fireproof" is largely made up of churchgoers and secular Christian groups, the audiences that helped make Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" a blockbuster, and the popular "Left Behind" book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.
Christian leader James Dobson's Focus on the Family highly commended "Fireproof", and talked-up the film relentlessly on his radio shows, even airing an interview with Kirk Cameron.
And the Baptist Press urged readers: "Get your church behind it. Mark the weekend of Sept. 26-28 on your calendar. And go see it."
"Fireproof" made up over 40 percent of all advance sales this week on Fandango and Movietickets.com , the services said. "Eagle Eye" came in second.
Kirk Cameron, 37, became famous with his role on the television series "Growing Pains", and has recently become known for his work with his Christian ministry and the TBN show, "The Way of the Master". Cameron also starred in the first two movies from the Rapture-focused "Left Behind" series."Fireproof" stars Kirk Cameron as Caleb Holt, who lives by the old firefighter's adage: Never leave your partner behind. Inside burning buildings, it's his natural instinct. In the cooling embers of his marriage, it's another story.
After a decade of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt (Erin Bethea ) have drifted so far apart that they are ready to move on without each other. Yet as they prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's dad asks his son to try an experiment: "The Love Dare".
While hoping The Love Dare has nothing to do with his parents' newfound faith, Caleb commits to the challenge. But can he attempt to love his wife while avoiding God's love for him? Will he be able to demonstrate love over and over again to a person that's no longer receptive to his love? Or is this just another marriage destined to go up in smoke?
Watch Kirk Cameron In The "Fireproof" Movie Trailer
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