October Sky

Still Wynning

That is the gist of it. (She/Her)
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What can I say, I love October Sky.

I just finished watching this again, this time with my parents, and I was reminded again if why I love this beloved, yet underrated, gem of a film. So, I decided to devote a thread to it.

The message of the movie, about reaching for the stars amidst setback and hardships, is really uplifting and inspiring.

The actors, particularly Jake Gyllenhaal as wide-eyed dreamer Homer Hickam, Chris Cooper as his stubborn, estranged coal-miner father, and Laura Dern as Homer's supportive teacher Miss Riley, do an excellent and believable job in their respective roles.

The script, adapted from Rocket Boys*, Homer Hickam's biography on his journey from a coal-miner's son to builder of rockets, is very tightly written and doesn't waste a single minute or miss a story or character beat.

*(Fun Fact: The title of the movie is an anagram of the title of the book.)

And the cinematography in this film is so impeccably framed, you could take a single frame and adorn it in your home.

It doesn't rely on fancy visual effects, action sequences or eye candy. It's just a well written, good, old-fashioned, simple down-to-Earth story about a boy accomplishing his dreams while reconciling with his father. And the fact that it's based on a real story makes me love it even more.

Also, did I tell you how much I love the soundtrack for this film? Brings tears to my eyes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyr8jpX2S74
[YT]Tyr8jpX2S74[/YT]

It's movies like this that remind me what excellent cinema is really all about. Great story, great characters, great message and great soundtrack. In my humble opinion, this is pretty much a perfect film, and I happily place it in my top ten list of greatest movies of all time.

So, what are your thoughts? :yay:
 
it's a wonderful film. As uneven as Joe Johnston can be, I think this is his masterpiece along with The Rocketeer. And my personal fav: Honey I shrunk the Kids!
 
He's like the Joe Kelly of Films. Sometimes I wish I would have paid better attention in math class.
 
Probably one of my all time favourites.
 
Great Movie, have you read the book it's based on?, it's also really good. I need to watch this movie again.
 
I can't say no to this movie. If it pops up anywhere, I just watch it. It's a great movie.
 
Excellent movie, definitely need to pop in my old VHS of it sometime soon.
 

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