Expected more

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

A high school boy's fascination with the Russian Sputnik missile fostered a life long love of rocketry and outer space travel. "October Sky" tells that story of Homer Hickam and his boyhood friends who achieved a level of notoriety in the small town of Coalwood, West Virginia in the late 1950's. The film is inspiring in it's message of believing in yourself and following one's dreams, even in the face of widespread ridicule and family opposition. Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his friends Roy Lee (William Lee Scott), O'Dell (Chad Lindberg) and Quentin (Chris Owen) join forces to develop their own personal answer to the country's space program by repeatedly trying and failing to build a successful rocket, until their perseverance is finally rewarded with a successful launch that amazes even them.A palpable sense of family tension is present throughout however, as Homer's dad expects his son to follow in his footsteps as a home town coal miner. He treats Homer differently from older brother Jim (Scott Thomas), who's athletic ability stands to earn him a college football scholarship, one of the few ways out for a graduating teen growing up in a town with no prospects of it's own. John Hickam (Chris Cooper) doesn't come around to Homer's way of thinking until the very end of the story when the young man's accomplishments earn recognition for himself, his 'Rocket Boys' team, and his high school. And as often is the case, there's a stellar teacher on hand to support the pursuit of knowledge for it's own sake. For Homer, it's Miss Riley (Laura Linney), stricken at an early age with Hodgkins lymphoma, but undeniably a supporter who's belief in Homer puts her in direct conflict with the school principal and it's Board of Ed.I thought it quite interesting that a marquee at a local movie house in the picture was featuring "The Incredible Shrinking Man", a B grade sci-fi flick of the era. I think if you watch that film, you'll find it to be a whole lot better than it would have any right to be based on it's title. In a way, it's diametrically opposite to Homer's goal of reaching for the stars, as it's main character is faced with a dilemma of growing smaller and smaller on a daily basis. At first horrified by that prospect he eventually comes to terms with his plight and endeavors to adapt to a life that brings him new challenges on a daily basis. Any sense of closure for the viewer is left to one's own imagination, a rather daring concept for a film of any genre to propose back in the Fifties. Reading some of the other reviews for the film on this site, it's not surprising to see how many others got misty eyed over the relationship between Homer and his father. The father/son dynamic is one that affects me in similar ways in movies like this, as one looks back over one's life, it's comforting to reflect on those good times that overcame any difficulties. Coming from humble beginnings, I'm sure young men like Homer and his buddies never forgot their roots and where they came from, knowing that their experience might some day inspire others to reach for the stars themselves.One last thought - the title 'October Sky' is a perfect anagram of 'Rocket Boys' - how cool is that?

This movie was amazing! Overall, I loved this movie, with excellent acting! Homer wanted to follow his dream and his dad didn't seem to care, except for himself. Yet his father was a self-made successful man in his own way. This is a point in case that go for the golden ring. Tears come to your eyes towards the end.

1) A simple boy born in a town where people are destined to become a coal-miner sees the sputnik in space launched by Russia. How it inspires him in his journey and his exciting new adventures from then on to become a rocket scientist. The movie depicts how he is helped by Ms Riley, his school teacher and some neighborhood friends. The movie is simply motivational. A must watch. A true story of Homer Hickam and his sheer grit and determination against all odds to pursue his dreams and ambitions. 2) The most motivating movie I have watched so far and the one which expresses one's dreams so beautifully, its laudable and extremely praiseworthy of watching again and again. If you dream, one day you certainly will!

October Sky (1999): Dir: Joe Johnston / Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott: True story about the freedom to dream and avoid tradition. Jake Gyllenhaal dreams of going to space and builds miniature rockets. After he and his friends wreck his mother's white picket fence, he turns to the unpopular book worm for help. The rest consists of rocket launching tests to enter the science fair. Filled with stereotypes including the unpopular class nerd, the supportive ill health teacher, the hard nose principal, the popular girl, and Chris Cooper with the dreary role of discouraging father. Director Joe Johnston establishes the 1957 setting with fantastic rocket launching footage but unfortunately he launches a screenplay full of clichés and stereotypes. This is a different type of film for a director known for Jumanji and The Rocketeer. Gyllenhaal basically goes with the flow playing the boy who must prove himself and gain his father's approval. Cooper's role is equally xeroxed as his father. Watching a sitcom father and son is far more interesting than anything these two do in this film. Laura Dern plays the teacher who is ill yet encouraging. Chris Owen completes the stereotypes as the nerd. The film is well made on a technical level but fails on the story front. Theme regards dreams within a screenplay that doesn't fly so high. Score: 5 / 10