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Review of "October Sky" and the Physics Involved

The Universal Pictures film “October Sky”, directed by Joe Johnston and produced by Larry Franco and Charles Gordon, is based on a true story about four boys in the small, coal-mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia. The boys become intrested in rockets after viewing the Soviet satellite Sputnik soar through the sky one night. After many obstacles and opposition from others in their town, the boys were able to resist the usual future of mining.
Rated PG for thematic elements, alcohol use, and language, “October Sky” is basically a feel-good, happy-ending story. The main premises are to never stop working and to never give up even though you may fail or may be discouraged.
As a physicist, I am pleased that a movie like “October Sky” has been made so that more young people may become interested in rocketery and the physics and trig behind it. The boys used their inti...

Posted by: Cinthia De Ruiz

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