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Popcorn Reviews
With Cybèle: October Sky
By Cybèle Elaine Werts
CybeleW@aol.com
First published
in the Shelburne News, Shelburne Vermont
Popcorn Kernel Rating (four possible): 3.5
kernels for a well-crafted film based on a true story.
When many of the immigrants of our great
nation moved to America, they wanted their children to do better
than they, to have a better life. That’s why education and
perseverence are such an important part of our history. What
confuses me is that once a few generations have passed, middle
class folk are often afraid that their children will do better
than they. Parents such as this insist that college is a waste
of time and money and pressure their kids into having the same
career they have, even if it’s not a good match. Unfortunately
it is this fear that runs like an artery through October Sky.
Mr. Hickam (Chris Cooper) cannot see that his son Homer (Jake
Gyllenhaal) has dreams of a different life. Not better, mind
you. Just different.
Fortunately, Homer has a team of mentors and a
town rooting for him. Inspired by the launch of Sputnik, he and
his buddies study rocket science and enter the regional science
fair. It is their struggle to both get the rockets to soar above
the earth as well as to transcend their coal miner roots that
tell this story, a great story full of vivid characters and
sometimes heartbreaking moments.
Suggested Gustatory Accompaniment: A rainbow
colored Rocket Pop popsickle.
Copyright 2000
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