To Infinity and Beyond…

October Sky is a 1999 biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston, and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, and Laura Dern. The screenplay by Lewis Colick, based on the memoir of the same name, tells the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., a coal miner’s son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 to take up rocketry against his father’s wishes and eventually became a NASA engineer.

October Sky is an anagram of Rocket Boys, the title of the 1998 memoir upon which the film is based. It is also used in a period radio broadcast describing Sputnik 1 as it crossed the “October Sky”. Homer Hickam Jr. said that:

“Universal Studios marketing people got involved and they just had to change the title because, according to their research, women over thirty would never see a movie titled Rocket Boys.” 

The book was later re-released with the name to capitalize on interest in the film.

October Sky is the Featured Blog of the Month for October for its real-life story! You can expect to read a detailed critique of the 1999 film, October Sky. You can also read a recommendation with a character synopsis. There is also a detailed review of the 1998 memoir by Homer Hickam Jr.. You can also watch an interview with Gyllenhaal at the age of 18 discussing his first starring role. There is also a Top Ten List to commemorate the film being a Featured Blog of the Month, and for October Sky, the topic of the list is My Top Ten NASA Movies! And finally, as a Featured Blog of the Month film, you can watch the Official Trailer for the 1999 film and then plan on watching October Sky tonight!

SCROLL DOWN AND WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER!