APOLLO 13

Released in 1995, Apollo 13 is a historically accurate film about the space mission by the same name. This movie depicts the failed lunar mission in real human terms and gives us a view of the hazards the early astronauts faced every time they were sent into space. These were the heroes and explorers of our modern time, risking their very lives to travel in confined modules in an effort to explore the moon and space itself.

It was written in part by Jim Lovell, one of the astronauts from the Apollo 13 mission. He was an integral part of the filming as well, and those who played the starring roles couldn't have done it any better. Tom Hanks (Jim Lovell), Bill Paxton (Fred Haise), Kevin Bacon (Jack Swigert, replaced Ken Mattingly), Gary Sinise (Ken Mattingly, (grounded due to tests showing he had measles), and Ed Harris (Gene Kranz, director of operations at Houston Space Center).

Since we all already know the end of the story in this case, I'll tell you that when the astronauts leave the helicopter on board the carrier, the Navy captain with his back to you who shakes their hands is Mr. Jim Lovell himself.

It's rated PG for some language and high emotions. It's definitely one worth watching for it's historic value.