Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!



October Sky




Rated PG - for language, brief teen sensuality and alcohol use, and for some thematic elements.
Directors: Joe Johnston
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper
Running Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes

Plot Summary


Homer Hiccumb (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a young teenager growing up in West Virginia in 1957 during the Cold War. After Russia launches its Sputnik shuttle into space, Homer is struck with a dream and a desire to launch is own rockets. With the help of 3 friends, he tries to carry our his dream while is father (Chris Cooper), tries to make him drop his new "hobby" & follow his own footsteps as a coal miner.


Film Review

I have to be honest and say that when I first heard about this movie, heard about its plot and saw a part of a preview on TV, I wrote the film off as looking really stupid and as something I would not want to see. But when I agreed to see it with a bunch of friends who were going to see it, I went with the mindset that it could be good. To be blunt, I walked away shocked.


As i sat through the first 5 to 10 minutes, i practically prayed that it would be good, because it just wasn't seeming to promising. Then the characters began taking form, conflict set in, a plot took shape, and i was hooked. All of a sudden, this film showed characteristics of a great movie: humor, drama, heart, suspense (in a mild way), and fun. The poor-sounding subject of the film melted away and a truly good film emerged.

The film's material was pretty good for the 90's standards, but it still contained some mild language (including several "S.O.B.s" & 2 "s" words). There isn't much sexually-related content. However, in one scene, we see Homer sitting in the backseat of a car just talking with a girl & the windows are fogged up a bit. The implication of what went on is not clear & isn't explained. The worse instance of violence is when one of Homer's friends is being smacked and hit by his drunken stepfather. But other than that, the violence is kept to a minimum

Overall, the movie is very good-- I was very impressed. I'd recommend this film to almost anybody, but please check over the details below to see what may be objectionable to you. And if you ever have questions about a film mentioned here, don't hesitate to email me and ask. So due to this film's well-done production, I can't give it any lower than 4 stars.

- John DiBiase, (reviewed: 3/8/99)

 

Parental Guide: Content Summary


. Sex/Nudity: 2 instances of relatively minor sexual innuendo; In one scene, Homer is shown sitting in the back seat of a car talking with a girl. The windows are steamed up but nothing is seen & no kissing is seen.
. Vulgarity/Language: 2 "s" words, 1 "g*dd*mn," 12 "d*mn," 10 "h*ll," 7 S.O.B.'s, 2 "a" words, 1 "J-sus," 1 "Swear to G-d," 1 "G-d," 1 "For G-d's sake"
. Alcohol/Drugs: Beer; alcohol; one of the character's step fathers is an alcoholic.
. Blood/Gore: We see a dead man's face has a little blood on it while laying on a stretcher. We see that one of the boys' face is bruised from being hit.
. Violence: Rockets blow up; A boy shoots his own dead car; A stepfather hits his stepson; 2 boys struggle on the ground; A bullet goes through the kitchen window, missing Homer's father -- no one is hurt.

 

Disclaimer: All reviews are based solely on the opinions of the reviewer. Most reviews are rated on how the reviewer enjoyed the film overall, not exclusively on content. However, if the content really affects the reviewer's opinion and experience of the film, it will definitely affect the reviewer's overall rating.

To find out why we don't typically review R-rated movies, click here

 

 

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This Wednesday, October 22, 2025
SINGLES
Phil Wickham Fear Has No Power - Single [Fair Trade]

This Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan Resurrection Power - EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure (2025 Remaster) [Resuscitation]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Hulvey HE WILL RETURN - EP [Reach]
Latter Day Exploits Within Consumed (Expanded Edition) [Charon Collective]
VaShawn Mitchell SOUNDCHECK [Fair Trade]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
The Band JAREN Poetic - Single [Hit and Run]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Brandon Lake, Jon Batiste, & Jelly Roll Hard Fought Hallelujah - Single [Provident]
Jonathan Cain No One Else - Single [The Fuel]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
EJ Swavv & Jericko Love Like This - Single [Syntax]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
goodwill. REST - Single [Syntax]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mat Kearney Good Old Days - Single (independent)
Kelo Car Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Vic Lucas I Need You (ft. IsaiahLaRoi) - Single [Syntax]
Jamie Macdonald You Can't Take My Song - Single [Capitol CMG]
Myles Maestro I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever - Single [Syntax]
Martin Smith, Josh Baldwin I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever - Single [The Fuel]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea Breakthrough - Single [DREAM]
Razzie & Glenn Ray Second Chances - Single [Syntax]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Wayne Klassik HOLY HOLY HOLY - Single [Syntax]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)
Unseen Faith Cold Resolve - Single [Rottweiler Records]
Kim Zamolo Your Ways Are Higher - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]

Next Wednesday, October 29, 2025
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]

Next Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
SEU Worship What A God [Live at JOGS] (feat. Abbie Gamboa) - EP [Provident]
Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

SINGLES
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
Polished Arrow Music LOTW - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Poor Old Lu The Hurting - Single (independent)
Still Remains The Wound and the Weapon - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]


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