WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!

Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

urbanesatan The most unrealistic piece of garbage I've ever seen. Why did I waste 2 hours watching this god awful sandwich of poop. The movie started off pretty well but the plot suddenly turned into a classic C grade movie. I don't even know if I can write 5 lines of text for this dumb movie. Even fourth graders would laugh at this whimsical fantasy of nonsense. Narnia was more believable.

Scarecrow-88 "If we don't have dreams, then we have nothing." Seriously, what a nice little surprise! Took a chance on this and glad I did! Billy Bob and a gem cast make this hard-to-believe film work. BB stars as Charles Farmer, an aerospace genius who was discharged from the Air Force before getting his chance to be an astronaut, having built a rocket in his barn (!) with plans to launch it once he can get the necessary fuel. From junk parts of a "rocket graveyard" (planes and metal scraps), Barber built his rocket in the barn and when the FBI come calling to see if he is building a terrorist warhead, he enlists the aid of Kevin Munchak (Tim Blake Nelson) who brings CNN and a new media deluge out of the woodwork, providing much attention to his mission. Obviously many tell him he's incapable of doing the launch or just plain nuts for even thinking of attempting it, but Charles Farmer is undeterred. His main problem, besides FBI agent Kilbourne (Jon Gries, in one of his best parts in years) always tailing him and keeping a watchful eye on him, is increasing debt with mortgage problems and the government not wanting him to do something they don't sanction.First, this cast. Virginia Madsen, who is capable of still being sexy yet such a great actress she can sink into such a rural waitress mom-of-three part less glamorous. The great Bruce Dern as Madsen's dad, aging and supportive of his son-in-law but concerned that the build of the rocket shop will do more harm than good. JK Simmons as a government bureaucrat who warns Farmer he'll never launch his ship into space and could very well be blown out of the sky before leaving orbit (!) if he decides to do so. Bruce Willis as a relative and former astronaut who isn't persuaded that Farmer will accomplish what he plans to do. Max Thierot as the son who totally believes in his father and will be "mission control" when the launch happens."I don't know. I think they're pretty good at assassinating people that have dreams." Despite all the odds Farmer might just achieve his American dream. The film's Midwest (and sometimes harsh, considering the foreclosure development against Farmer as the bank wants payment long overdue) and quirky rural setting with its unique brand of locals (played by some really fun faces) is directed lovingly (and often breathtakingly) by the Polish Brothers (Twin Falls Idaho; Northfork). After an attempted launch goes horribly wrong, resulting in his rocket nearly killing the camped-out media and himself when the capsule crashes off a cliff into rough terrain, the publicity for the astronaut farmer dissipates and the government (FAA), behind Simmons' haughty and prideful press conference towards "amateurs seeking to do what the pros are only capable of", believes Farmer is done with his fantasy. This film, whether you might consider it hopelessly romantic or anything but realistic, has such a message towards achieving your dreams, I couldn't help but find it irresistible and just old-fashioned wish fulfillment whimsy which hit all the right buttons with me. Yep, I was hooked, line and sinker. The rocket in the barn and the mission control center are beauties of junkyard assembly. Anchored by a sincere BB Thornton, with able support from Madsen as the wife who goes through a roller coaster of emotions along with her husband, and the little family that adores their pop and believes wholeheartedly in his dream, this film gives us the satisfying finale we might not consider realistic but nonetheless exciting. You even get some suspense when BB is up in space thanks to a disconnected plug (!) that cuts off communication. Of course the FAA disavows the launch as if it didn't happen. The "despite the odds" American dream concept is a winning formula and this film plays that up to perfection.

Monjur Ahmed It's clear a lot of critics don't know what to make of this movie. It's best described as mostly a fantasy with naturalistic elements. The emotions are real, they are strong, and the film is always grounded in the earth. But you are never quite sure where it is going. It will veer into farce, then melodrama, then social commentary, and back again. It seems to be taking place in the present day, yet not quite: the sensibilities are from the 60s, the entrepreneurial we-can-do-it spirit from the 80s, and the despair from the 00s. It is strange, and it is dreamlike, and at times it seems to barely make sense, but it all works. The audience I was with was enthralled and almost all of them stayed through the end of the credits -- a good sign indeed.I can imagine what the high-concept presentation must have been like: "It's just your typical save-the-farm family drama, only dad is a . . ." "Don't tell me. A space alien," yawns the studio-head."Well, close, but not quite. He's a former astronaut who may be a nut case, we're never quite sure." The studio-head is a little more interested. "And he;s planning to blow up the world?" "No, though a lot of people think he is."

alohahome This is a solid family movie about faith and hope and it was a box office dud. For all the complaining out there about the lack of family entertainment, exactly how could a movie like this do so poorly? I certainly hope this was a fluke. No nudity. No real profanity to speak of. This film features a close knit family, a supportive wife and grand father, two little daughters who love their daddy and also his life long dream to launch into orbit with his own privately built rocket constructed on his Texas ranch. By the way, this is basically a fantasy but the director evidently does not think so, as you will happily discover if you get a chance to see it. If you can relate to the concept of unshakable faith in yourself against all odds, and would be willing to let two of the most adorable little daughters this side of Jupiter steal your heart away for 104 minutes, then this movie was made for you. How so very odd it is to be inspired by the unbelievable. Or maybe not so odd after all?