| ||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
Buy This DVD and Watch it Instantly
Watch the Amazon Instant Video rental on your PC, Mac, compatible TV or compatible device at no charge when you buy this DVD from Amazon.com. Your rental will expire 24 hours after you begin watching or 30 days after your disc purchase, whichever occurs first. The Amazon Instant Video version will be available in Your Video Library and is provided as a gift with disc purchase. Available to US customers only. See Terms and Conditions.
|
||
 |
 |
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Based on the memoir Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam Jr., October Sky emerged as one of the most delightful sleepers of 1999--a small miracle of good ol' fashioned movie-making in the cynical, often numbingly trendy Hollywood of the late 20th century. Hickam's true story begins in 1957 with Russia's historic launch of the Sputnik satellite, and while Homer (played with smart idealism by Jake Gyllenhaal) sees Sputnik as his cue to pursue a fascination with rocketry, his father (Chris Cooper) epitomizes the admirable yet sternly stubborn working-man's ethic of the West Virginia coal miner, casting fear and disdain on Homer's pursuit of science while urging his "errant" son to carry on the family business--a spirit-killing profession that Homer has no intention of joining.
As directed by Joe Johnston (The Rocketeer), this wonderful movie is occasionally guilty of overstating its case and sacrificing subtlety for predictable melodrama. But more often the film's tone is just right, and the spirit of adventure and invention is infectiously conveyed through Gyllenhaal and his well-cast fellow rocketeers, whose many failures gradually lead to triumph on their makeshift backwoods launching pad. Capturing time and place with impeccable detail and superbly developed characters (including Laura Dern as an inspiring schoolteacher), October Sky is a family film for the ages, encouraging the highest potential of the human spirit while giving viewers a clear view of a bygone era when "the final frontier" beckoned to the explorer in all of us. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Chris Cooper, Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern. A young boy in a 1950s mining town seeks to pursue his dreams of building rocket ships with the help of his science teacher. 1999/color/108 min/PG/widescreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
129 of 133 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I'd seen the October Sky DVD at the local video store, but avoided it--I imagine because I didn't know much about it and because I'd read it was just a "family" movie and figured it wouldn't be very interesting. Well, I finally rented it, and now I see why so many of the reviewers here have raved about it. I won't go into the story--others here have. I'll just say that October Sky is simply a wonderful story, and it's very well told in this movie--script, direction, and cast are all first rate, the photography is beautiful, and the score evocative. It even captured our thirteen year old son's attention--not a small feat for a movie with a PG rating. My guess is you'll be thinking about Coalwood, West Virgina, and its people for a while after seeing this movie. (I should add I ended up buying both the DVD and Rocket Boys (also published as October Sky), the book on which the movie is based. The book is great, too.)
80 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Not everybody will like this film. Three people out of the one hundred and seventy five reviewers here didn't like it. And fifteen more out of the remaining one hundred and seventy two gave it three or four stars, leaving one hundred and fifty seven who thought this an absolutely great movie against eighteen who didn't.
So I think I'm safe enough to say you'll like this movie even if reading about it doesn't make it sound that exciting. The bottom line is that this movie is so very human. The boys who are obsessed with rockets are normal, every day boys sparked with enthusiasm about what can be done. They are following their own stars, their own sense of what is right for them, against the opposition of those who don't understand.
And so, there is a story for each and every one here, a very real story about following your own star, not somebody else's. Yes, it's a feel good movie, but it achieves this through the power of the true story, not out of viewer manipulation.
Very highly recommended.
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Do you feel constrained in your job? Are you an unhappy student? Then this movie is for you. I first watched the rental and I was deeply touched and inspired by it. I right away decided that this movie is worth owning, so I bought myself a copy. I don't regret it. Every time I watch it, it makes me re-evaluate my life and inspires me to go after what I value most. It makes me realize that I, too, can do what most people will tell me is impossible. It inspires me to keep trying and keep dreaming. You must own this movie so it touches and inspires everyone who visits your home.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
...and 3 cheers for Miss Riley
Obviously the movie makes us see what can be done with a dream. But let us not forget who kindled that dream and brought it into focus...Miss Riley. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Ron M.
Over 300 Fifth Graders Agree...Awesome!
I've been showing this to my 5th grade classes for the last ten years, as we complete a rocket project and wrap up end-of-year testing. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Lifelong Learner
Great Family Movie
My 10 year old son needed to watch this for a class project, so we all sat together to enjoy it. Excellent family movie, with a good message about sticking to your dreams and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. R. Miske
Satisfied
I received the movie earlier than I was notified that I would, which pleased me and the quality of the movie was great.
Published 1 month ago by teacherparis
Great Movie
This is a movie we watch over & over. The acting is top notch. It's a heartwarming story - and one that is more special because it is true. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Blind Lemon Pie
October Sky
This is a very well acted (true life) movie, with excellent direction in story development. I was undecided in purchasing this product because of its age, but I'm glad that I did... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Richard Rice
Just watched this morning...
It's always cool to discover a new movie that's a great true story... What an inspiration... DVD quality was A+! I love Amazon because I can find just about anything I want!
Published 2 months ago by Samma
The rocket boys in October Sky
As a mum of young boys and a teacher I was again encouraged with the need to support kids in finding a passion, rooted in some form of teaching or training. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Amanda
October Sky
The DVD is for our Grandson, Sam, who is interest in the space program. He is in the 5th grade
and his Grandma and I will be presenting him this DVD for his birthday gift. Read more
and his Grandma and I will be presenting him this DVD for his birthday gift. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sam
wonderful
This is a great family movie. It is inspiring, uplifting and heartwarming all rolled into a movie based on a true story. See it.
Published 4 months ago by tootsie
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
