Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Tinsel

Home
Religious Music & Entertainment
October Sky – Family Movie Night

October Sky – Family Movie Night

Last updated on: May 17, 2013 at 8:21 am by Rebecca Cusey

October Sky – Family Movie Night 2013-05-17T08:21:27-06:00 Rebecca Cusey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Story:

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.

The Stars:

Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper

Release Date:

1999

Rating:

Our Take:

Movies don’t get much more inspirational thank this true story of a boy destined for the coal mines who found a future in the stars.

Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhall) is a teen in a 1950s West Virginia town in which sons follow fathers into the mines as inevitably as night follows day. His dad John (Chris Cooper), an inherently decent man, works as a super intendant in the mine and hopes his sons will do the same. Russia’s launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957 gives Homer the inspiration he needs to pursue a dream. Encouraged by his teacher (Laura Dern), he gathers his mischievous friends and the local nerd to build a rocket and enter it in the science fair.

That true story is enough to make this a good movie, but the core of this film is the disconnect battling stubborn love between a literal man of the earth and his son who is destined for academia and NASA. Cooper plays John Hickman as a dignified and decent man who knows pride in hard work and treating others with respect. He is a good man, but cannot see anything other than foolishness and childishness in his son’s fascination with rockets.

The theme of fatherhood is highlighted by the contrast of Homer’s friend’s stepfather, who would rather punch than parent. Although John Hickman finds himself increasingly alienated from his brainy and willful son, he would never become a man who knocks around those weaker than himself.

In addition to being inspiring, the film is satisfyingly entertaining, as the boys’ scheme and trick to pursue their passion, a passion that often has amusingly disastrous results.

In the end, the boys’ dream of rocketry gives them a chance at a life no one ever imagined for them. But, even more importantly, the good people of Coalwood, West Virginia prove that a boy’s dreams may take him far from home, but will never really remove him from the family and community from which he comes.

Be Aware:

This film is rated PG. It has some mild language and a brief implication of sensuality. The most intense scenes are the violence inflicted on a boy by his stepfather and an accident in the mine. The themes of father-son conflict may be too mature for younger children.

Appropriate for Ages:

Older elementary school and older. Check here for specifics.

Related Material:

Based on the memoir of Homer Hickam, Rocket Boys. Hickam went on to design rockets for NASA, worked as an engineer for the Army, and has written many books.

This is the kickoff of our Family Movie Night Feature. Patheos writers will bring you weekly recommendations for a film to watch together as a family. All our recommendations will be gathered on the Family Movie Night page.

Buy October Sky or Hinkam’s books here:

Previous Post

April 30, 2013

Instagram and Your Kids: Advice for Protecting Their Safety and Their Self-Image

Next Post

May 2, 2013 Review: Fun 'Iron Man 3' Still Suffers Sequelitis

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Becky's Picks Children's Movies DVD releases Entertainment News Faith on Film Featured Hunger Games In Theaters Interviews Life, Etc. Mixed Nuts Movie Reviews Poliflix Scroogewatch slider Television Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 April 2011 March 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the first plague in Egypt?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Darkness Boils Water turned to blood Locusts