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Interesting true story of a high school student, living in a small coal mining company town, who was inspired by the USSR Sputnik satellite launch, to attempt to build and fly small rockets near his town. His parents and some other students thought this was a waste of time, but with encouragement from a teacher, he spent time learning more of the theory, math, and parts design, involved for successful launches of progressively larger (model) rockets, longer distances (and less failed, explosions). This developed into creating a science fair project that led to his ability to get a college scholarship, allowing him to escape an otherwise inevitable career as a coal minor. He became a NASA engineer in real-life.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I decided to get this movie because it seemed like it would serve well as one of those on the shelf and you want something to watch to kill your boredom. More or less that, I guess. This actor suited well I thought, given his interest in rockets and rather nerdy look. I loved the ending. This is one of those films where everything led up to a swell ending. Thus, it's my favorite seen. Homer's teacher is sick, so she can't watch his final rocket launch, personally, in the town. When Homer turns to the crowd after prepping his rocket, he dedicates it to his pops (who never showed up prior), when wouldn't you know it, his pops is just squeezing to the front of the crowd as he speaks to his first and Homer's last hometown launch. Once he pressed that launch button, it was gone. As it's in mid-air the camera heads back to Homer's teacher in her hospital room. After she notices it, we see the rocket out her window, straight as a needle flying to space... I cry... very moving.Read full review
Reminded me of my almost daily clashes with my dad and surviving my youthful experiences with rockets 45 years ago (fuel tank blew up in my moms kitchen for one). Very nicely done and made me feel good plus I love the music. I'm not sure if this is the reason I can watch it over and over and still enjoy it. Would be excellant rating but they got a few tecnical things wrong (for instance, von Braun didnt have anything to do with Vanguard other than the fact he was competing with Navys Vanguard with his US Army Redstone rocket and if you dump those chemicals down the drain a match will not ignite them...I teach chemistry). Would be nice if the film industry would make movies about real things factual instead of taking liberties with the truth, the real world is interesting enough without messing with it unless you're doing science fiction. I did show this to my High School students at the end of the year when testing was over and it makes a great film to talk about history, economics, the Cold War, what students were like in those days, and some fun science as we would make some rocket propellant and test it...students always enjoy that kind of stuff. Something I found interesting was that Homer Hickam got interested recently in dinosaur fossil digging. I too dug dinosaur fossils and created a 4,000 sq ft dino dig for my students to experience what its like. While I am now semi retired from teaching I mentor students doing rocketry for NASA programs. I am also active with amateur rocket projects (like Sugar Shot to Space) to put things in sub-orbital and into orbit if things would stop blowing up on us.Read full review
This is a movie I love to show my students to inspire them to think beyond their circumstances. The story is about a student "born into" a future as a coal miner, but it may as well be about any other lifestyle that young people find difficulty in escaping; be it one of tradition, expectations, culture, gender, geographic location, or socio-economic status. And, the key is education, hope, determination, and belief in oneself. It turns out not to be a selfish pursuit, as everyone is better off because one young man dares to dream, and then ACT on that dream against all obstacles. I love how the many characters' outlooks evolve throughout the story, especially since it is because of the determination of this ONE young man. As a result, we witness positive growth in the small minds of his friends, family, schoolmates, and school officials. Family friendly and time worth spending for the value added.Read full review
This movie is so meaningful and a tear jerker. If you love space, space exploration, history, sci-fi, and Jake Gyllenhaal this is a blast, literally. It is a hopeful movie, a movie about overcoming where one is from and that great minds can come from any small town. I love this movie.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
