Review of October Sky (1999) by Ducknation — 02 Jun 2014

"Look at it go, Homer. This one's gunna go for miles.".

October Sky is such an amazing film and is by far Joe Johnston at his finest. I know some people don't like Jake Gyllenhaal but seriously the guy isnt that bad of an actor and if more people had seen this movie they would now that. Based on the true life story of Homer Hickam (Gyllenhaal) a normal kid living in the small coal mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia. He dreams of being something more then just a coal miner and after seeing the sputnik rocket streak across the nights sky his dreams of doing something bigger and better is something he has to achieve. Despite him and his friends being laughed at, they shoot off many rockets and with each one gaining more and more confidence and experience. After wining the state and country science fair Homer goes back to his hometown to be praised and honored but yet to have seek the approval of his father John Hickam (Chris Cooper) Its not until the very last rocket does his dad show up to see a lunch of a rocket and is struck with amazement when he finally sees it. Seriously though Jake Gyllenhaal is one of my top 25 favorite actors and I have yet to see him put on a performance better then this. The surrounding cast is just as great with Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen and Natalie Canerday all doing solid performances.

Overall I give it a 8.5 Iv'e been waiting for the past several years for a Blu ray release and I seriously hope it get does. October Sky is for sure its one of my favorite movie of all times and with such a beautiful heartwarming story I never get tired of watching.