i first saw jake gyllenhaal in jarhead ( 2005 ) a little while back and and since then and i have be watch every one of his movie that arrive on my radar screen . like clive owen and he have an intensity ( and he even resemble owen somewhat ) that just ooze from the screen . i feel sure that and if he land some meaty role and he will crack an oscar one day . that not to denigrate this film at all . it a fine story and with very believable people ( well and it base upon the author early shenanigan with rocketry ) and a great cast chris cooper be always good and and laura dern be always on my watch list with the appropriate mix of humor and pathos and excitement . and the great sound track with so many rock n roll oldie to get the foot tap . but and this film have a very special significance for me represent in 1957 and i be the same age a homer hickham while like him and i look up at the night star to watch sputnik a it scud across the blackness while like homer also and i experiment with rocketry in my backyard and use even the exact same chemical for fuel while and like homer and i also have most of my attempt end in explosive disaster . what fun it be . i do not achieve his great ( metaphorical and physical ) height though . but and that what you find out when you see this movie . sure and it a basic family movie and but that a die breed these day and it seem . take the time to see it and with the kid represent you will all have a lot of good laugh .