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My parents were the children of immigrants to the coal mining areas of western Pa.They didn't want to be stuck there so after they married they moved to NYC and had me.The rest is history as they say.I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the saga of the coal mines and the effects on this country of their story.It's richer than any other and continues to this day, abet not as influential as it once was.We all now know of the perils and bravery of the men who work there thanks to todays 24 hour news reporting of the Chilean mine disaster.But we forget or many cases of those younger than 40,don't know of its history within THIS country.West Va had in the year of 1920 one of the pivotal historic moments in our countries devoplement.The Matewan Massacre.But look that up and then research coal mining as it was then and today and the people and places and you will see a pattern of nobility and honorable work in the most dangerous and exploited conditions this country has to offer.Once you fully understand all that,then and only then,will the corny sentiments of this film begin to make sense and the story of achievement against that background becomes inspiring.
This movie is based on a book written by a NASA engineer and astronaut instructor who with 3 friends aspired to be more than coal miners and against the stacked deck of their environment,succeeded.Based on the book The Rocket Boys written by Homer Hickam and played in the movie by Jake Gyllenhaal,it may have been before its time.Released in 1999 and running 108 minutes its far more suited for today after Obama's speech for us to have a "sputnik"moment in education like Kennedy's back in the day.
The story starts with the sputnik launch by the soviets in 1957 and having been almost 10 then I can remember the moment today.However unlike Homer I wasn't inspired to take up Rocketry in High School as he was.Homer is encouraged by his teacher Miss Riley played understated but effectively by Laura Dern and with 3 friends embark on building their own rockets and and enter a science fair.
From there the film enters many of the"can't do that"cliches of a few trying to buck the odds and roadblocks that the many put before them. This is especially true in areas that need to maintain the "status quo"to keep exploitation of the underprivileged going on.
In a sad why that includes the inevitable clashes of sons and fathers, as sons try for more than their fathers and the fathers themselves throw roadblocks in the way out of misguided senses that the sons are chasing a dream or worse,jealously.
When you combine the coal mines with the age old generational gap and then throw in education to boot,you have the stuff of real life drama. Chris Cooper as John Hickam,Homers father gives another of his hardly ever noticed, outstanding performances as the father torn between family and job and the son who wants to be more.
In conclusion,yes its corny and yes its dated but my GOD this movie is more relevant today then back then.Our country is in worse global shape then before and losing entire groups of our children to the continuation of outdated and badly conceived exploitation is inexcusable.I've had arguments with teacher members of my family about preparing children for exploitation jobs that keep the economy going but NOT those who HAVE been exploited getting a chance to follow their dreams and be more.Today we need MORE.
This movie tells that story in truly eloquent terms.I don't know how I missed this movie in 1999,but I am now buying the DVD.
In closing I will bring my own small view that this film shows.Bring Math and Science to the forefront of education again.And to my retirement state of Texas I say,Science is not creationalism or your new fancier term of intelligent design.But that is not the issue of this picture.I only mention it as a another roadblock that must be passed.
Trailer URL is below picture.And the soundtrack has a lot of 50's R&R
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnX6yU8PJHE
This movie is based on a book written by a NASA engineer and astronaut instructor who with 3 friends aspired to be more than coal miners and against the stacked deck of their environment,succeeded.Based on the book The Rocket Boys written by Homer Hickam and played in the movie by Jake Gyllenhaal,it may have been before its time.Released in 1999 and running 108 minutes its far more suited for today after Obama's speech for us to have a "sputnik"moment in education like Kennedy's back in the day.
The story starts with the sputnik launch by the soviets in 1957 and having been almost 10 then I can remember the moment today.However unlike Homer I wasn't inspired to take up Rocketry in High School as he was.Homer is encouraged by his teacher Miss Riley played understated but effectively by Laura Dern and with 3 friends embark on building their own rockets and and enter a science fair.
From there the film enters many of the"can't do that"cliches of a few trying to buck the odds and roadblocks that the many put before them. This is especially true in areas that need to maintain the "status quo"to keep exploitation of the underprivileged going on.
In a sad why that includes the inevitable clashes of sons and fathers, as sons try for more than their fathers and the fathers themselves throw roadblocks in the way out of misguided senses that the sons are chasing a dream or worse,jealously.
When you combine the coal mines with the age old generational gap and then throw in education to boot,you have the stuff of real life drama. Chris Cooper as John Hickam,Homers father gives another of his hardly ever noticed, outstanding performances as the father torn between family and job and the son who wants to be more.
In conclusion,yes its corny and yes its dated but my GOD this movie is more relevant today then back then.Our country is in worse global shape then before and losing entire groups of our children to the continuation of outdated and badly conceived exploitation is inexcusable.I've had arguments with teacher members of my family about preparing children for exploitation jobs that keep the economy going but NOT those who HAVE been exploited getting a chance to follow their dreams and be more.Today we need MORE.
This movie tells that story in truly eloquent terms.I don't know how I missed this movie in 1999,but I am now buying the DVD.
In closing I will bring my own small view that this film shows.Bring Math and Science to the forefront of education again.And to my retirement state of Texas I say,Science is not creationalism or your new fancier term of intelligent design.But that is not the issue of this picture.I only mention it as a another roadblock that must be passed.
Trailer URL is below picture.And the soundtrack has a lot of 50's R&R
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