It's 1957 in Coalwood, West Virginia, and all roads point to the local coal mine. Even the high school principal puts more of a priority on picking coal than on getting education. But when the first spacecraft, the Russian Sputnik, flies over Coalwood, high-school student Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) catches a glimpse of the bigger world and can no longer accept his presumed future.

The only known road out of Coalwood is a football scholarship. Homer doesn't qualify for that. Instead, he chooses a new path that follows his passion: rocket building. Because this ambitious effort will require some skill in welding, science, and math, he enlists (with a lot of persuasion) the help of his friends, the mine's machinist and an unpopular student who is a math-whiz.

The townspeople think Homer is crazy, but the greatest opposition comes from his father, a supervisor and lifetime employee at the mine. His Dad was already upset with the time and money being spent on building rockets, but when Homer and his friends are accused of setting a forest fire, his father explodes. Despite the opposition, the dream won't die. With all the determination of a football wannabe, Homer tackles each new obstacle using teamwork and extra-curricular academic training.

Unfortunately, there are concerns for parents in this film. Some scenes of family disputes contain moderate profanities and may be too intense for younger children. Parents may find another reason to squirm during a needless scene when the boys make some sexual remarks about how to feel a girl's breast during a movie.

But for me, this true story contains good lessons that fly far above the bad. Through persistent effort, these boys show how incredible goals can be reached. Even more noteworthy, this rare film celebrates intellectual effort as opposed to physical. Along the way, Homer and his father discover they share a dedication to hard work. Eventually they learn to respect each other's achievements. The true story on which October Sky is based, provides great motivation to shoot for your dreams.

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  Win Your Own Copy of A Great Movie!

October Sky inspired many young scientists to reach for the sky. Now a new special edition of this great film has hit DVD shelves. The new extras, featuring a discussion and commentary with the real Homer Hickam, make this movie better than ever!

We have a Special Edition DVD to give away to one lucky reader who can tell us the full name of the teacher who changed Homer's life. If you've got that little piece of information, click on this special link and tell us the answer in the e-mail box that opens on your computer. You don't need to supply us any additional information as long as your e-mail address is correct (we'll contact the winner and ask for a mailing address at that point), and please don't alter the subject line. Entry deadline is midnight, February 18, 2005.

Talk about the movie with your family...

This true story has a happy ending, with Homer Hickam achieving his dream. Would his efforts still have been worthwhile had he not reached this ultimate goal? Are you ever discouraged from trying new things because you might not realize your ultimate dream? What things still worth the risk?

Having just retired in 1998 after over 20 years of service to NASA, Homer Hickam is a real rocket scientist. For more information, check http://www.homerhickam.com/ or look for the book Rocket Boys, the autobiography upon which the film is based.

DVD notes...

October Sky Special Edition DVD; released January 25, 2005.