Out of the Blue (2006)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Robert Sarkies

Writers:

Bill O'Brien (book)
Robert Sarkies (writer)

Release Date:

12 October 2006 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

From the last place on earth comes a true story of courage and survival.

Plot:

Based on the Aramoana Massacre that occurred on 13 November and 14 November 1990. Resident David Gray, an unemployed gun collector, went on a rampage in which 13 people were shot dead, before Gray himself was shot by police.

Awards:

6 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Karl Urban	...	Nick Harvey
Matthew Sunderland	...	David Gray
Lois Lawn	...	Helen Dickson
Simon Ferry	...	Garry Holden
Tandi Wright	...	Julie-Anne Bryson
Paul Glover	...	Paul Knox
William Kircher	...	Stu Guthrie
Georgia Fabish	...	Chiquita Holden
Fayth Rasmussen	...	Stacey Percy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Timothy Bartlett	...	Jimmy Dickson
Tony Bishop	...	Ross Percy
Baxter Cannell	...	Dion Percy
Murray Davidson	...	Bank Manager
Dave Dudfield	...	AOS / ATS Officer
Nick Duval-Smith	...	Brian Wilson
Natalie Ellis	...	Dorothy Crimp
Fatu Ioane	...	Aleki Tali
Brenda Kendall	...	Garry Holden's Mother
Richard Knowles	...	Rene Aarsen
Thomas Lee-Batley	...	Leo Wilson
Finn Liddell	...	Jordan Harvey
Stuart Mathieson	...	Vic Crimp
Dra McKay	...	Heather Dickson
Steven Moore	...	Ron Braithwaite
Ryan O'Kane	...	Darren Buist
Patrick Paynter	...	Tim Jamieson
Bruce Phillips	...	Chris Cole
Vaughan Slinn	...	Russell Anderson
Phoebe Smith	...	Jenny Austin
Vanessa Stacey	...	Vanessa Percy
Claire Waldron	...	Fiona Harvey
Kerrie Waterworth	...	Bank Teller
Jacinta Wawatai	...	Rewa Bryson
Richard West	...	Warren Wilson
Michael Whalley	...	Darren Gibbs
Danaka Wheeler	...	Jasmine Holden
Ashley Wilson	...	Gunshop Owner

Also Known As:

Aramoana (New Zealand: English title) (working title)

Runtime:

103 min | Canada:100 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

New Zealand:R15 | Germany:16 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Otago, New Zealand

Company:

Condor Films

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the town scene, a Chrysler PT Cruiser is clearly visible. This vehicle was manufactured from 2001.

Sets the pulse racing!

I went to see this having read a couple of books on the subject several years ago, including the one on which the film is based.

Wasn't sure what to expect as there's been a lot of hype & media publicity surrounding this film.

I must say I certainly wasn't disappointed.

This is an excellent film. I haven't seen director Sarkies' other film Scarfies but I was impressed with this. No doubt he's headed for bigger things if this film is any indication.

Take a bow Mr Sarkies, you've already got the NZ Film Awards sewn up.

This is the kind of film you don't see too often, shocking and extremely tense, but without relying on the graphic violence and bloodspatter far too prevalent in mainstream films these days. Add to that this is a true story and there's plenty of attention to detail.

A few other 'bigger' directors could take note from this that the audience aren't all idiots. They can figure out what's happening without squibs going off left, right and centre and spent cartridges ejecting from the chamber in slow motion.

As the cinema sat in silence, I swear I could hear my own heart pounding at times as my blood pressure went through the roof. A great movie going experience not felt too often.

I wasn't sure if If I was watching a reenactment or remastered old news footage as the specialist Police moved in on the town. It looked very authentic.

In spite of his dastardly deeds, one couldn't help but feel a tad of sympathy for the bad guy who is portrayed as a sad, lonely dysfunctional person who's mental health gradually deteriorates. More good work by the director and certainly different from the norm.

It wasn't perfect though, the pacing of the film seemed a bit out of kilter in a few places, while I thought some of the acting in the film was brilliant at times, but not quite so at others.

The up close gun fire as well probably fell a little bit short in the decibel department and could possibly use a touch up.

That aside, on a global scale it's a small budget film so any shortcomings are excused.

I give it an 8 because I'm a very tough marker, with a 10 being nearly impossible.

Given the subject matter, I don't think I could call this entertaining, but it sure is an experience & somewhat unforgettable, enough to make a grown man cry.

In short, see this film!