'Fireproof' adds 100 screens

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Heading into its fifth weekend in theaters, the movie “Fireproof” – as well as its companion book “The Love Dare” – show no signs of cooling off.

Fireproof opened in 100 new theaters last weekend, including those in Fairbanks, Alaska, and San Jose, Calif., and lesser-known towns like Forest Hills, N.Y., and Martin, Tenn. Even though the movie was no longer showing in 58 theaters last weekend, it nonetheless was in more theaters – 905 – than during its opening weekend, movie officials say. (A complete list of new theaters is available at Fireproofthemovie.blogspot.com.)

The movie, which tells the story of how a firefighting captain played by Kirk Cameron works to save his failing marriage, passed the $17 million mark Oct. 13 in total gross and finished in the Top 5 on a per-theater average in its first three weekends. It remains the top fan-rated film at Fandango.com, a ticket-buying website.

It was made by Sherwood Pictures, which made the 2006 surprise hit “Facing the Giants” and is owned by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany.

Meanwhile, The Love Dare book – which plays a central role in the movie – hit No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list for paperback advice books Oct. 10. Written by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick – the brothers who also wrote the screenplay – the book is in its seventh printing by B&H Publishing Group, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. It takes the reader on a 40-day journey to strengthen his or her marriage.

“To see Fireproof is to want the book, The Love Dare,” John Thompson, marketing vice president for B&H Publishing Group said. “At the same time, for readers, this powerful little book stands alone in opening new understanding – and new relationships.”