Exploring the Universe


October Sky (Movie Review)

Overlooked by the Academy Awards and most offreaks  and  outcasts.
the movie viewing public, October Sky turned
out to be one of the best movies of 1999.As Homer's father becomes ill from the deadly
Based on the true life story of Homereffects of coal dust, he pushes his son to
Hickman, a coalminer's son inspired to learnsupport the family by entering the mine.
about rocketry following the launch of theUnable to see the bright potential of his
Soviet satellite Sputnik, October Sky is moreson's interest in rockets, John Hickman
than just a film about rockets, it's a film(Chris Cooper) battles Homer every step of
about one man overcoming the trials andthe way as he pursues his passion. But Homer
tribulations that attempt to run him down.remains committed, and when he and his
The emphasis placed on the passion of thefriends begin launching rockets from a new
human spirit and its ability to overcomesite outside of town, more and more people
great conflict and achieve feats of wondrousbegin showing up to see the brilliant
heights makes October Sky a film that isspectacle... When Homer's hero, German rocket
certain to enjoy an enduring legacy and ascientist and NASA engineer Wernher von
heightening in stature among critics with theBraun, replies to a letter Homer wrote, the
passing  of  time...path is cleared for the students to exhibit
their  work  at  the National Science Awards.
Set in a 1950s West Virginia town, October
Sky follows the life of Homer Hickman (JakeEncouraged by Miss Riley, Homer and his
Gyllenhaal), the teenage son of a coalminerfriends are prepared to put their entire
who pushes his son to follow in hisfuture on the line at this one exhibition,
footsteps. Growing up in a town where coal iswhere the prize includes fully paid
king, the citizens of Homer's world can'tscholarships to some of the top universities
fathom pursuing a career in any other field.in  America...
But when Homer's classroom is informed of the
Soviet launch of Sputnik, the satelliteThe inspiring tale of a boy and his friends
inspires Homer to learn everything he canwho never give up on believing in themselves,
about rockets, satellites, and inner-orbitingOctober Sky is a feel-good movie reminiscent
spacecraft. Goaded on by their teacher Friedaof Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra. Outside of
Riley (Laura Dern), Homer and his friendsthe traditional mold of action super-thriller
study the various aspects of a rocket launchor blood-spilling reality drama, October Sky
and begin staging the launch of their ownbucks the trend of cinematic commercialism by
homemade rockets. But their trial and erroroffering its audience a more intelligent
experiments go awry, putting the localforay into the world of film and
townspeople in the path of their errantstorytelling. This trend toward quality
rocket launches, and they incur the wrath andcinematography is one we can only hope will
disdain of a community that views them ascontinue.



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