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THE SKINNY
Part Stand By Me, Part Hoosiers

THE BOTTOM LINE
Worth the trip to Blockbuster.

THE FULL REVIEW
It’s been a while since I’ve seen an inspiring movie; the kind that leaves you feeling a bit better about the world around you, at least for a little while. October Sky, directed by Joe Johnston (Jumanji, The Rocketeer) is that kind of film.

This simple, yet extraordinary coming-of-age story, set in a 1950’s West Virginia coal mining town called Coalwood, takes place in the wake of Russia’s successful Sputnik satellite launch. Inspired by this landmark event, a teenaged boy named Homer Hickam, played by Jake Gyllenhaal (City Slickers), sets out to build and launch his very own homemade rocket. But, before he can do so, Homer must first earn the respect of both the town skeptics and, more importantly, his father, played by Chris Cooper (American Beauty, Lone Star), who aspires to have his son follow in his own footsteps as the superintendent of the town’s coal mine. Assisting Homer in his attempt to create a life for himself beyond the confines of dreary Coalwood are three friends, played by Chris Owen (Can’t Hardly Wait), William Lee Scott (The Opposite of Sex, Gattaca) and Chad Lindberg (City of Angels), and his idealistic high school teacher, played by Laura Dern (Rambling Rose, Jurassic Park).

Aspects of this story may seem a bit hokey. But, just when you want to write this film off for being too “Hollywoodish,” you can’t. That’s because the entire story is true. The film’s screenplay by Lewis Colick (The Ghosts of Mississippi) was adapted from the autobiography of Homer Hickam, who not only made it out of Coalwood, but he went on to become a successful NASA science engineer.

In addition to telling an uplifting story, October Sky features terrific acting from Chris Cooper, who is one of the most underutilized talents in Hollywood today, as well as solid performances from the rest of the cast.

If you are looking for a quality movie that offers some relief from the usual Hollywood fare, rent October Sky. You won’t be disappointed.

By: Craig Ettinger