ABC-HD: October Sky 8pm EST

Sean Mota

SatelliteGuys Master
Original poster
Supporting Founder
Sep 8, 2003
19,039
1,739
New York City
octobersky_big.jpg

Summary: Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg, Natalie Canerday, Scott Miles, Randy Stripling, Chris Ellis, Elya Baskin, Courtney Fendley and David Dwyer.
When the Russians stun the world in October of 1957 by launching Sputnik, Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) is inspired to learn how to make rockets so he can help America get back into the space race. A good high school student, but weak in science and math, he seeks out the class "brain," Quentin (Chris Owen). Together with a few other students, they begin to learn about and experiment with rockets. The "Rocket Boys" come into conflict with the community, and Homer's father (Chris Cooper) expects the boy to follow in his footsteps and begin a career in the coal mines.

A young teacher, Miss Riley (Laura Dern), sees her job as being more than to send send coal miners' sons into the mines. She informs the boys that they can be contenders for the national science fair where college scholarships are the prize.

The 1999 film was directed by Joe Johnston from the screenplay by Lewis Colick, based on the book Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr.