October Sky Starring Laura Dern. USA - 108 Minutes. Rated PG Friday, July 23 at 7:00pm Directed by Joe Johnston. The story of NASA engineer Homer Hickam and a group of friends from Coalwood, West Virginia, and how the launch of Sputnik inspired their own rocket launching experiments. Opposed by his father (Chris Cooper) because he thinks his experiments are dangerous, Homer leaves his hometown and coal mining future behind to pursue his dream. Based on a true story. Preceded by the short film Humdrum (LONG ISLAND PREMIERE) UK - 7 Minutes. Directed by Peter Peake. In this wonderfully creative animated film, two bored shadow puppets play themselves at their own game.