“October Sky” is a film that captures the inspiring true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who dreams of escaping his small town by building rockets. The film is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the space race and the scientific advancements of the 1950s. It beautifully portrays the protagonist's journey as he pursues his passion for space science against the odds.
“October Sky”, 1999
Director: Joe Johnston
This film follows the story of Homer Hickam, a young boy inspired by the launch of Sputnik to pursue his dream of building rockets, despite the challenges he faces in his small coal-mining town.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg, Natalie Canerday, Scott Thomas, Randy Stripling, Chris Ellis, Ilya Baskin, Courtney Cole-Fendley, David Dwyer, Terry Loughlin, Kaili Hollister, David Copeland, Don Henderson Baker, Tom Kagy, Donald Thorne, Justin Whitsett, Larry Rue, Neva Howell, Terry Nienhuis, Brady Coleman, Rick Forrester, Terrence Gibney, Douglas Swander, Keeli Hale Kimbro, Mark Jeffrey Miller, Blaque Fowler, Don Tilley, Rockford Davis, John Bennes, Jonathan Fawbush, Larry Black, Frank Schuler, Tommy Smeltzer, Charles Lawlor, Tom Turbiville, Ida Ginn, Richard Lumpkin, Mark W. Johnson, Don Taylor, Don G. Campbell, Liz Byler, Bradford Ryan Lund, Frank Hoyt Taylor, Dave Hager, Ray Elder, Andy Stahl;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, family, biography;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “October Sky” on the website imdb.com
“The Right Stuff”, 1983
Director: Philip Kaufman
Based on Tom Wolfe's book, this film explores the early days of the U.S. space program and the men who became the original Mercury Seven astronauts.
Starring: Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, Fred Ward, Barbara Hershey, Kim Stanley, Veronica Cartwright, Pamela Reed, Scott Paulin, Charles Frank, Lance Henriksen, Donald Moffat, Levon Helm, Mary Jo Deschanel, Scott Wilson, Kathy Baker, Mickey Crocker, Susan Kase, Mittie Smith, Royal Dano, David Clennon, Jim Haynie, Jeff Goldblum, Harry Shearer, Scott Beach, Jane Dornacker, Anthony Munoz, John P. Ryan, Darryl Henriques, Eric Sevareid, William Russ, Drew Letchworth, Christopher P. Beale, Richard Dupell, William Hall, John X. Heart, Ed Holmes, Jack Bruno Tate, Edward Anhalt, Mary Apick, Robert Beer, Erik Bergmann, James Brady, Katherine Conklin, Maureen Coyne, Tom Dahlgren, John Lion, Peggy Davis, John Dehner;
Production year: 1983;
Genre: drama, adventure, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 193 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Right Stuff” on the website imdb.com
“Apollo 13”, 1995
Director: Ron Howard
This gripping film depicts the real-life drama of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, showcasing the resilience and ingenuity of the astronauts and NASA team as they work to bring the crew safely back to Earth.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Kathleen Quinlan, Mary Kate Schellhardt, Emily Ann Lloyd, Miko Hughes, Max Elliott Slade, Jean Speegle Howard, Tracy Reiner, David Andrews, Michele Little, Chris Ellis, Joe Spano, Xander Berkeley, Marc McClure, Ben Marley, Clint Howard, Loren Dean, Tom Wood, Googy Gress, Patrick Mickler, Ray McKinnon, Max Grodénchik, Christian Clemenson, Brett Cullen, Ned Vaughn, Andy Milder, Geoffrey Blake, Wayne Duvall, Jim Meskimen, Joseph Culp, John Short, Ben Bode, Todd Louiso, Gabriel Jarret, Christopher John Fields, Kenneth White, James Ritz, Andrew Lipschultz, Mark Wheeler, Larry Williams, Endre Hules, Karen Martin, Maureen Hanley, Meadow Williams, Walter von Huene, Brian Markinson;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: drama, adventure, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Apollo 13” on the website imdb.com
“Hidden Figures”, 2016
Director: Theodore Melfi
This film tells the untold true story of three African-American women mathematicians who played crucial roles at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell, Kimberly Quinn, Olek Krupa, Kurt Krause, Ken Strunk, Lidya Jewett, Donna Biscoe, Ariana Neal, Saniyya Sidney, Zani Jones Mbayise, Tre Stokes, Selah Kimbro Jones, Corey Mendell Parker, Ashton Tyler, Alkoya Brunson, Karan Kendrick, Jaiden Kaine, Gregory Alan Williams, Maria Howell, Arnell Powell, Ron Clinton Smith, Crystal Lee Brown, Tequilla Whitfield, Dane Davenport, Evan Holtzman, Travis Smith, Scott Michael Morgan, Chris Cavalier, Robert G. McKay, Rhoda Griffis, Karen Wheeling Reynolds, Kate Kneeland, Joe Knezevich, Paul Ryden, Frank Hoyt Taylor, John Atwood, Jon Edwin Wright, Wilbur Fitzgerald, Michael Hartson, Bob Jennings, Gary Weeks, Afemo Omilami;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Hidden Figures” on the website imdb.com
These films about space science and the pursuit of knowledge and exploration in the face of adversity capture the spirit of discovery and the human quest for understanding the cosmos.
“October Sky” is a gripping and inspiring film that beautifully showcases the wonders of space science and the power of determination. Set in the 1950s, the movie follows the true story of Homer Hickam, a small-town teenager who dreams of escaping his coal-mining community and pursuing a career in rocketry. With its heartfelt performances, stunning visuals, and a compelling narrative, “October Sky” captures the essence of scientific exploration and the pursuit of dreams. It serves as a reminder that with passion, hard work, and the support of loved ones, anything is possible. This film is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the boundless possibilities that lie beyond our earthly confines.
