http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx It’s one thing to get Bruce Dern and Billy Bob Thornton — two of the best actors in the game when it comes to playing unrepentant jackasses — in the same movie together; that’s a coup right there. To get them both playing warm, sympathetic characters, however, is a sign of the Apocalypse. It’s like water running uphill; it just doesn’t happen. But, the Polish brothers pulled it off, and made a pretty damn good movie to boot. Unlike many filmmakers who have trod in Capraesque fields, Mark and Michael Polish understand that wholesome doesn’t have to mean sappy, and uplifting films don’t all have to be about sports. THE ASTRONAUT FARMER is, outside of Pixar’s body of work and a few notable exceptions, one of the few mainstream films in the last few years that gets that. Thornton plays Charles Farmer, a former aeronautical engineer and fighter jockey who bowed out of astronaut training when his father died so he could go home and run the family farm. Dreams of flying into space, however, are stronger than that for Charles, who has the loving and steadfast support of his wife, Audie (Virginia Madsen), and his three kids. To that end, he’s built a rocket in his barn, which makes him just another colorful character in his Texas hometown — that is, until he tries to buy 10,000 pounds of high-grade fuel for his rocket. Now, the Feds want to get to know Charlie and his plans; typified by a cynical FBI agent (Jon Gries) and the officious head of the FAA (J.K. Simmons). en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#982 This movie was decent. I didn't find it to be too realistic, especially on his second flight. For him to be able to fly around and land safely, with the limited controls he had not to mention the limited help he had, well it was a movie, and you can get away with a lot in a movie. It kept my attention, but it wasn't Billy Bob Thornton's greatest of roles. I dont know why I bought the movie without seeing it first, I probably won't watch it too many times. Billie1000 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#982 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:15:15 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#1357 this seem to be an ok movie dorothy fugate http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#1357 Sun, 02 Sep 2007 03:24:12 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#1565 THIS WAS A GOOD FAMILY MOVIE. I WILL WATCH IT AGAIN WAVELYN http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#1565 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:09:32 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#1965 My husband was inspired by this movie, because he succeeded after impossible odds. catwritescc http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#1965 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:48:50 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#2416 probably something i would watch on a rainy sunday afternoon brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/07/14/The-Astronaut-Farmer--A-Rocket-and-a-Dream.aspx#2416 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:58:11 GMT