re: The movie: "The Astronaut Farmer"
I got to see it a couple of weeks ago through NSS. I've seen the last half three times now. I was moved by how deeply personal and family it tries to be, and largely succeeds at a macro level. I put up a review over at Out of the Cradle:
http://www.outofthecradle.net/archives/2007/02/the-astronaut-farmer/
I liked it, and will watch it again on DVD, which I'm guesstimating for around Christmastime.
It's interesting the things you note after a couple of viewings, like a kind of high-pitched "uh-oh" sound right as the intrument panel goes out, or the long slide-whistle descending note when the craft starts its de-orbit.
Astronaut Farmer Lesson #1: Don't use crappy rocket fuel.