While the boys were accused of starting a fire, they were never detained. Homer never met Wernher von Braun - as it turns out, von Braun was looking for the Rocket Boys’ exhibit when Homer was looking for him; unfortunately they never met. With the opportunity for one of them to participate in the National Science Fair in Indianapolis, they elect Homer. This was changed in an effort to keep the audience from being confused. Homer teams up with math geek Quentin Wilson, who shares an interest in aerospace engineering; with the support of friends Roy Lee Cooke and Sherman O'Dell, and their science teacher at Big Creek High School, Miss Freida J. Riley, the four construct small rockets. Sputnik is the inspiration for this journey of the heart, mind and soul. Sky Fibre areas only. In an interview in 2014, Natalie Canerday recalled that Gyllenhaal was tutored on set because he was still in school and taking advanced classes. The Rocket Boys often visit the festival in West Virginia on a regular basis, and it is also called the "Rocket Boys Festival", while the festival in Tennessee focuses more on the filming locations being the relevance to the movie. The locomotive used in the scene was Southern Railway 4501 relettered as Norfolk and Western No. The screenplay by Lewis Colick, based on the memoir of the same name, tells the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., a coal miner's son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 to take up rocketry against his father's wishes and eventually became a NASA engineer. Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella is inspired by a voice he can't ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. The Midnight Sky filmed in the United Kingdom, Iceland and the Canary Islands in Spain. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan. October Sky does not illustrate good parenting; rather, it evokes the realization that since parents have only a limited vision of how to shape their children's future, the job requires a huge amount of love and a lot of divine assistance. In a 1950's mining town called Coalwood, Homer Hickam is a kid with only one future in sight, to work in the local coal mine like his father. As the town looks up to the skies, John slowly puts his hand on Homer's shoulder and smiles, finally showing Homer that he is proud of him. Entertainment One gave it a limited release on August 14, 2015. At the national science fair, Homer's display is well-received, and he enjoys popularity and some sightseeing. And felt it ironic because that is what gave the town its nourishment. For months, the two largest planets in our solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, have been gradually moving closer and closer to each other in our night sky. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. These celebrity lookalikes will make you do a serious double-take. With the mines set to close and resenting his father's pressures, Homer storms out of the house, vowing never to return. Use the HTML below. But despite it's familiarity and resistance to all formulas Hollywood, this movie is winning and likeable at every turn. George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 â June 22, 2008) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic and author. Sky Broadband general: £9.95 router delivery charge applies. NOW TV customers will need a NOW TV Sky Cinema Pass to watch the film. He was known for his dark comedy and reflections ⦠Filming concluded on April 30, 1998. October Sky is based on the lives of four young men who grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia. What are the differences between the book and the movie. £39 Sky TV & Broadband offer: Offer ends 11/02/2021. [7], The film received critical acclaim from film critics. Is that Anne Hathaway or Daisy Edgar-Jones? Homer Hickam Jr.'s father was not named John. 49 of 63 people found this review helpful. A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. TV set-up: £20 for new customers. The police soon realized that their rockets could not have traveled over 3 miles and the boys were exonerated. He is also congratulated by von Braun himself, not realizing his idol's identity until he has gone. [1] Principal photography took place in rural East Tennessee, including Oliver Springs, Harriman and Kingston in Morgan and Roane counties. However in October 1957, everything changes when the first artificial satellite, Sputnik goes into orbit. A young pilot stumbles onto a prototype jetpack that allows him to become a high-flying masked hero. In a 1950's mining town called Coalwood, Homer Hickam is a kid with only one future in sight, to work in the local coal mine like his father. At the launch of their largest rocket yet – the Miss Riley – John, who never attended any of the launchings, is given the honor of pushing the launch button. The Secret Garden is set to be released on Sky Cinema from Friday, October 23. In a subsequent conversation with the science fiction writer Neal Stephenson, Bezos commented that he had always wanted to start a space company. Take a look back at the TV series that took home Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series in the categories of Drama and Comedy. The miner's union goes on strike against the coal company, angering John. (1999). As the townspeople gather outside to see the satellite orbit across the sky, Homer Hickam is inspired to build his own rockets to escape Coalwood. For once, I agree with them. Written by Perfectly played all around. Unfortunately, most of the town and especially Homer's father thinks that they are wasting their time. In the summer of 1962, a new kid in town is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his rowdy team, resulting in many adventures. Although the film takes place in West Virginia, Tennessee was the location of choice for filming in part because of the weather and area terrain. All plot contrivances and emotions have been explored before in other films -- and possibly even better. For the memoir by Homer Hickam, see, Homer Hickam official Web site - October Sky/Rocket Boys, The Keeper's Son, "Real vs. Reel: Author Homer Hickam talks differences in 'Rocket Boys' and film 'October Sky, "Reviews: Rocket Billionaires and The Space Barons", Information and Photos of Filming Locations, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Family Film, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=October_Sky&oldid=1005596179, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Some of the movie's representations of the characters are combinations of the real life boys. The movie has had a total lifetime gross of $34,675,800 worldwide. The critic's consensus states: "Rich in sweet sincerity, intelligence, and good old-fashioned inspirational drama, October Sky is a coming-of-age story with a heart to match its Hollywood craftsmanship. While jaded townsfolk of their 1950's coal town dismiss the event, Homer Hickham sees Sputnik as his ticket out of a life in the mines.Masterful direction and casting make the journey of rocket boy Homer and his pals seem fresh and new. You'll never look at the October sky quite the same again. An emphasis on the filmâs score is deemed to be common in the genre, as are happy resolutions at the end of the movie. He did, however, work in the mine the following summer, as described in Hickam's book. A major video chain I despise has a sign next to this film stating that you'll love this film or they'll refund your money. John intervenes and rescues Roy Lee, warning Vernon that he will protect Roy Lee as Roy Lee's late father would have. His family and classmates do not respond kindly, especially his father John, the mine superintendent, who wants Homer to join him in the mines. You call it a miracle. Unfortunately, most of the town and especially Homer's father thinks that they are wasting their time. Homer returns to Coalwood a hero and visits Miss Riley, who is dying of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Big Sky is a 2015 American drama thriller film directed by Jorge Michel Grau and starring Bella Thorne, Kyra Sedgwick, Frank Grillo, and Aaron Tveit.It was produced by The Archive and Papagjika Salloway Productions. Speeds vary by location. And it is. View production, box office, & company info. Wi-Fi speeds vary by ⦠"[10][9], James Wall of The Christian Century describes the film's concentration on the father-son relationship as "at times painful to watch. October Sky is a 1999 American biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, and Laura Dern.The screenplay by Lewis Colick, based on the memoir of the same name, tells the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., a coal miner's son who was inspired by the launch ⦠It gave the film a much more interesting and varied look. "), Sputnik has a similar affect on the young rocket boys of this true tale. Homer Hickam is the main character's name; in the book and in real life he was nicknamed "Sonny". Johnston expressed that he felt that the looks of the mine in the film gave it an evil look, like the mine was the villain in the film. Especially affecting are subplots concerning Homer's ailing young school teacher. A wrongfully convicted boy is sent to a brutal desert detention camp where he joins the job of digging holes for some mysterious reason. There were actually six "rocket boys" rather than the four in the movie. The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes. Even Homer's mom gets her moment without cliche or intrusion. A young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy. Especially, this movies teaching me that never giving up just following my dream. With Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen. Just as the characters from Steven Sondheim's musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG stood agape atop their apartment roof hoping it would launch their new generation ("What do you call it? More than 2000 extras were used in the movie. Though the local paper runs a story about the boys, they are accused of starting a wildfire with a stray rocket and are arrested. [12][13][9], October Sky won three awards, including: OCIC Award for Joe Johnston at the Ajijic International Film Festival 1999, the Critics' Choice Movie Awards for Best Family Film from the Broadcast Film Critics Association in 2000, and a Humanitas Prize 1999 for Featured Film Category.[14]. Rated PG for language, brief teen sensuality and alcohol use, and for some thematic elements, Charles Gordon, Oscar-Nominated Producer of ‘Field of Dreams’ and ‘Die Hard,’ Dies at 73, Charles Gordon Dies: Oscar-Nominated ‘Field Of Dreams’ And ‘Waterworld’ Producer Was 73, Charles Gordon, Producer of ‘Field of Dreams,’ ‘Die Hard’ and ‘Waterworld,’ Dies at 73, Weirdest Greek Title Translation (Part 2), Kenneth Chisholm , Battlestar Galactica: Flight of the Phoenix. With his friends and the local nerd, Homer sets to do just that by trial and a lot of error. You'll also be able to watch the film in cinemas from the same date. Kenneth Chisholm . October Sky is a 1999 American biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, and Laura Dern. I resisted seeing this movie and I understand why it was not a big hit in theatres. This page was last edited on 8 February 2021, at 14:07. [9], Many critics tend to commend the movie for its values, family, and inspirational aspects. Only one teacher in the high school understands their efforts and lets them know that they could become contenders in the national science fair with college scholarships being the prize. With that event, Homer becomes inspired to learn how to build rockets. Only one teacher in the high school understands their efforts and lets them know that they could become contenders in the national science fair with college scholarships being the prize. October Sky is a great movies which is based on the truth story of Homer Hickam. Also remarkable is the father / son supblot that anchors the film. Regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comics of all time, he was dubbed "the dean of counterculture comedians". October Sky is an anagram of Rocket Boys, the title of the 1998 memoir upon which the film is based. October Sky "Myrtle Beach" says it all. The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take ⦠The sky is really showing off this December! Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? 4501. Speeds vary significantly by location. £39.95 offer eligibility fee for existing customers. He understandably wants his son to follow in his footsteps, and one of the best elements of the movie is in breaking free, he is respecting his father. In a mining accident, John is injured rescuing others, and Ike Bykovsky, a mine worker who let Homer use the machine shop for rocket components, and later transferred underground for better pay, is killed. "October Sky" feels and looks oh so familiar. Filming began on February 23, 1998, almost a year before the movie's release. Cast and crew recalled the major weather shifts and tornadoes in the area during the filming months but Joe Johnston claims, "ultimately, the movie looks great because of it. Remarkable restraint is shown in depicting their delicate relationship. The Miss Riley reaches an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,100 m) – higher than the summit of Mount Everest. Homer Hickam said that "Universal Studios marketing people got involved and they just had to change the title because, according to their research, women over thirty would never see a movie titled Rocket Boys. Homer never dropped out of school to work in the town's mine. "[4] The book was later re-released with the name in order to capitalize on interest in the film. Supported by his wife, Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true. With that event, Homer becomes inspired to learn how to build rockets. The story of Sir J.M. "[2][3], Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, saw a screening of October Sky in 1999. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Title: Bezos then started the private aerospace manufacturing and services company Blue Origin, and Stephenson became one of the company's early employees. Homer makes an urgent phone call home to his mother Elsie, who implores John to end the ongoing strike so that Mr. Bolden, Bykovsky's replacement, can use the machine shop to build a replacement nozzle. Directed by Joe Johnston. [19][20], This article is about the 1999 American biographical film directed by Joe Johnston. When a boy prays for a chance to have a family if the California Angels win the pennant, angels are assigned to make that possible. Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo. The film was a moderate box office success and received very positive critical reception; it continues to be celebrated in the regions of its setting and filming.[2][3]. Homer returns to school by special invitation; the boys return to rocketry and win the school science fair. At its widest theater release, 1,702 theaters were showing the movie. Later, Homer is inspired by Miss Riley to read a book on rocket science, learning to calculate the trajectory of a rocket. Stephenson urged him to do so. What is the significance of the title "October Sky"? Broadband: £9.95 router delivery; £10 connection fee. "[8] Metacritic gave the film a 71 rating with these being dubbed "Generally Favorable Reviews" based on 23 professional critic reviews of the movie. One is held in West Virginia where the real life events that the book and film took place, and the other is in Tennessee where the movie was actually shot. After John picks up Homer, Roy Lee is beaten by his abusive stepfather, Vernon. Their names were: The Rocket Boys did not steal railroad parts as in the film; however, they did attempt to grab a. Roger Ebert, who gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, recognized that the film "doesn't simplify the father into a bad guy or a tyrant. Her ultimatum to her husband is both dignified and heatbreaking. "[5][6] The crews also recreated a mine for the underground scenes. Now the gang must learn to perfect their craft and overcome the many problems facing them as they shoot for the stars. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Homer drops out of high school to work in the mine and provide for his family while his father recovers. It is also used in a period radio broadcast describing Sputnik 1 as it crossed the "October Sky". A small switching yard allowed the filmmakers and actors to film the scenes with the boys on the rail road and gave them freedom to do as they pleased, even tear apart tracks. With the town's support and replacement parts quickly sent to Indianapolis by bus, the boys win the top prize and Homer is bombarded with college scholarship offers. John relents when Elsie, fed up with his lack of support for their son, threatens to leave him. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 91% out of 74 critics gave the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.6/10. ( Casablanca, The English Patient, A Walk to Remember ) Rom-Com Movies: Traditional romance blended with elements of comedy, often seeing the leading love interests placed in ⦠A coming-of-age story about a shy, young boy sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, eccentric uncles in Texas. A lot of reviews focus on the main character's relationship with his father and on the actors' performances. The Tennessee festival's site claims that the festival is "a celebration of our heritage. However in October 1957, everything changes when the first artificial satellite, Sputnik goes into orbit. An epilogue, using real footage, reveals the true outcomes of the main characters' lives. When an accident miraculously gives a boy an incredibly powerful pitching arm, he becomes a major league pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. There are no winners or losers when sons go their separate ways. "[11] However, some reviews, such as one from Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide, claim that the movie's highlight was the acting of Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Cooper. Using this, he and Quentin locate their missing rocket and prove it could not have caused the fire. A Texas baseball coach makes the major league after agreeing to try out if his high school team made the playoffs. There are two annual festivals in honor of the Rocket Boys and the film that are held. External factors such as internet congestion and home wiring can affect speed. While their first launches fail, they experiment with new fuels and designs and eventually succeed. With his friends and the local nerd, Homer sets to do just that by trial and a lot of error. Overnight, someone steals his machined rocket part model – the de Laval nozzle – and his autographed picture of Dr. Wernher von Braun. [6], October Sky opened on February 19, 1999 in 1,495 theaters and had an opening weekend gross of $5,905,250. I enjoyed to watch the movie because it had many lessons and touches on some issues such as building the rockets, in life with friends and family problems to solve. Now the gang must learn to perfect their craft and overcome the many problems facing them as they shoot for the stars. The weather of east Tennessee gave the filmmakers trouble and delayed production of the film. The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: The movie was praised for its portrayal of 1950s Appalachia despite several major and minor differences from the book on which it is based. Joining after 4/3/20: Sky Hub is loaned to you at no cost, it must be returned at the end of the broadband subscription. [5], The film's star, Jake Gyllenhaal, was 17 years old during filming, the same as Homer Hickam's character. In October 1957, news of the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1 reaches the town of Coalwood, West Virginia, where most residents work in the coal mines. Film crews reconstructed the sites to look like the 1957 mining town setting the movie demanded. Homer never had to prove their innocence, as his character did in the film. Westworld is an American science fiction Western and dystopian television series created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy.Produced by HBO, it is based on the 1973 film of the same name (written and directed by Michael Crichton) and, to a lesser extent, the film's 1976 sequel Futureworld.The story begins in Westworld, a ⦠This movie has deep values. In the aftermath of the arrest, the boys are dejected and abandon rocketry, destroying their launch site. The boys present their findings to Miss Riley and the school principal, Mr. Turner, who determines the catalyst was a flare from a nearby airfield. Was this review helpful to you? While the family eats dinner, Vernon shoots into the kitchen but misses John, who dismisses Homer and Jim's fears, leading to a heated argument with Homer. Launching February 11, 2021, the Dam Short Film Society is proudly taking the 17th Annual Dam Short Film Festival online as a virtual event. The annual Geminid meteor shower is in full swing (and just peaked), there was a total solar eclipse visible from Chile and parts of Argentina, and thatâs not all!