October Sky poster & wallpaper

Chad Lindberg, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen

In Coalwood, West Virginia, all the boys grow up to be coal miners and Homer Hickam has no reason to think he'll be any different. Too small to earn a football scholarship, Homer has no way out of his...( read more  read more... ) predetermined life -- until the soviet satellite Sputnik flies over the October sky and changes everything. It's 1957 and Homer's world just got a lot bigger. Though his father is mine superintendent and has no greater wish than to see his sons follow in his footsteps, Homer embarks on a mission to build and launch his own homemade rockets with the help of his loyal band of friends. Though their frequent mistakes nearly get them shut down, their successes inspire the whole town to believe that miracles can happen even in Coalwood, and there's nothing wrong with shooting for the stars.

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85% liked it

56,445 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

59 critics

PG, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Joe Johnston

Release Date: February 19, 1999

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DVD Release Date: July 29, 1999

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Stats: 3,195 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,195)

  • RiderOfTheStorms
    August 8, 2009
    RiderOfTheStorms
    good movie, good story, good acting and great music.
  • amodman
    June 11, 2008
    amodman
    It's an interesting movie with a nice mellow and youthful feel to it. Not really something I want to watch much, though.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    June 4, 2008
    YosemiteSamFan
    Slow-moving with a bleak coal mining town, make it a bit depressing. The pacing and editing could've been improved. There are many emotional scenes which try to tug on the heartstrings of the viewers. The performances are strong with Jake Gyllenhaal playing Homer Hickman, a boy c...( read more)aptivated by his rocket design hobby, against the strong urges to follow in his father's career working at the coal mine. Homer (Gyllenhaal) and his friends face many odds to get their rocket projects brought to the statewide science fair. Like many of the rockets they built, the movie is too much of a downer, and could use more "uplifting" scenes. It was well-made and very watchable, but a heavy experience.
  • QueenCityFilms
    March 5, 2008
    QueenCityFilms
    Woo hoo yea man!
  • EarthlyAlien
    February 26, 2008
    EarthlyAlien
    I think most kids went through a NASA - or simply space - phase at some time in their childhoods. For me, it came right after my dinosaur phase. To be fascinated with what's 'out there' is, I think, only normal. That's why I regret that I didn't get the chance to watch October...( read more) Sky as a kid. Still, I'm glad to say it was worth waiting nine years.

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    There isn't much room for opportunity in Homer's tiny, home town of Coalwood, West Virginia. Its residents have only one occupation, and that's mining coal. No one escapes it. With High School graduation not so far down the road, Homer faces the seemingly inescapable prospect of life in the mines, and an early death from black lung. But that was the year the Soviets launched Sputnik, and an initially disinterested Homer finds himself captivated by the sight of that tiny satellite streaking across the night sky.

    Homer soon becomes obsessed with rockets. Enlisting the help of some friends, he starts building his own miniature rockets and launching them into the sky. Soon, he's the talk of his town, gaining support from teachers and coal miners. For Homer, rocketry becomes his ticket out of a dismal future. But his father can't understand it, and pressures him to accept a life mining coal. Determined to achieve something, Homer pushes on.

    Based on the true life story of NASA engineer Homer Hickam, October Sky is a story of hope and perseverance against adversity. It's the kind of film that makes you wonder what the heck you're doing sitting on your couch watching this kid build rockets, when you ought to be outside building your own. In one of his first big roles, Jake Gyllenhaal's talent for playing delicate characters shines. Chris Cooper brings depth to what could have been a two-dimensional roadblock for Homer, Laura Dern is genuine as the teacher who believes in his students, and director Joe Johnston captures more than a moment or two of real cinematic brilliance. His shot of Homer descending into the mine shaft, while looking up into the starry night sky will stick with you, long after the film is over.

    Johnston seems to have a real feel for family filmmaking with depth, and he doesn't simplify Hickam's true story with easy answers. This is a film of strong conviction and deep characters. A film with the ability to appeal to everyone without compromising its story. October Sky is a beautiful advertisement for education. A reminder that dreams can be a ticket to freedom.
  • clairebear44
    November 22, 2009
    clairebear44
    Not a bad movie, good inspirational film with solid performances.
  • totalefreiheit
    November 2, 2009
    totalefreiheit
    Una pelicula que me recuerda mi vida...
    Werner von Braun es la inspiracion de este chavo que quiere construir cohetes.
  • Phonex
    October 22, 2009
    Phonex
    Rocket boys. One of the stories during space adventure.
  • EbertsLittleApprentice
    September 28, 2009
    EbertsLittleApprentice
    May I ask a question first, before I begin my review? Is there any film in which Lauren Dern couldn't change the way she acted to make herself one of the most revered actress of the ninety's, or ever?

    Chris Cooper and Upcoming star Jake Gyllenhaal starred in this 1998 Biogra...( read more)hy about NASA Engineer Homor Hickham.

    Homor Hickham doesn't want to mine coal, and can't play football. He then sees Sputnik streak across the sky. Evryone laughs at his dream. Everyone except Miss riley, his teacher.

    With the help of his secretly dying teacher Miss Riley, She dared them to dream, and leave their coal mining town in search of a better life, not on the gridiron, or in the mines of coalwood, and for Homor, Maybe Cape Canaveral.

    This film is emotional and doesn't ask for sadness, or regret, but commands for hopes and dreams, and that everlasting quest to find and reach yours.

    This movie had Deep Values.
  • atswick
    September 24, 2009
    atswick
    This is the movie that will get any one started on model rocketry its the movie that got me started!

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Critic Reviews

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This movie has deep values. full review

View more October Sky reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • csbuttertoast
    May 31, 2008
    csbuttertoast
    I'm sorry but I see nothing awe inspiring in this movie. It will live in my memory forever as a no good crappy movie. I would rather nail my head to a board then watch this crap again.
  • chocotania674
    May 20, 2008
    chocotania674
    This movie is so cool. i totaly want to go to college!!!
  • pavacri23
    February 23, 2008
    pavacri23
    this movie really motivated me to fight for my goals
  • puppydogsmc
    September 21, 2007
    puppydogsmc
    This movie is really good. It's touching!
  • princesscheetahk
    August 17, 2007
    princesscheetahk
    really good!! a little bit of cuzing but really good!!
  • tessgrl586
    August 31, 2006
    tessgrl586
    best movie ever! touching and beautiful
  • Jaredgirl
    June 9, 2006
    Jaredgirl
    Totally amazing!! Inspiring and beautiful.
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October Sky Trivia

  • In what movie does a boy build a rocket in a small mining town?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Jake Gyllenhaal play as a high school boy trying to build a rocket?   Answer »
  • The movie October Sky is based on which Book?  Answer »
  • Who plays Homer Hickam in the movie October Sky?  Answer »
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