October Sky

NASA engineer Homer H. Hickam, Jr.'s autobiography provided the basis for this drama about a teenager coming of age at the dawn of the space race. In 1957, Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a high school student in Coalwood, West Virginia when the Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first man-made ...more

Joe Johnston's sentimental film, based on NASA engineer Homer Hickam's autobiographical -The Rocket Boys, is a largely breezy, uplifting picture. A Stand By Me for space and science enthusiasts, the film features an excellent young cast, with Jacob Gyllenhaal, Chris Owen, and Chad Lindberg sharing the screen with veterans Laura Dern and Chris Cooper, the latter playing Homer's old-fashioned father with grit and feeling. The tear-jerking plot gathers strength by playing upon the viewer's ...more