Out of the Blue (2006)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

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 | Argentina:16

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.

Raising the bar in New Zealand cinema

I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening of Out of the Blue at the Embassy theater. As the final credits rolled and the curtains closed I realized I had finally found the meaning to the word 'masterpiece'. This is unquestionably one of the best films I have ever seen. Period.

The portrayal of David Gray is haunting in every meaning of the word. Matthew Sutherland is an expert as his craft. I despised him throughout the film but at the same time felt pity; for what he was going through mentally was almost as scary as what he was causing the town to go through.

Robert Sarkies has proved to us that he has a genuine eye for directing, and that he is loaded with talent. Although he has already worked on several other New Zealand films/series, I believe that this could be his calling card for getting into the big-budget pictures.

The acting is incredible, and I really admire Karl Urban for returning to NZ and doing this low-budget film. Every single performance in this film is nothing short of spectacular. I have never felt as though I actually knew a bunch of people in a movie until now. It was genuinely the most scary thing I have seen when the town goes to hell.

I wish that this movie could get a wide theatrical release, although I am almost certain it wont because its story wont really effect anyone outside of New Zealand. However, if you live in New Zealand you must see this film when it is locally released in cinemas. In fact no; everyone should go see this film. Everyone. Twice.

10/10 This is what happens when you get a bunch of people together who love what they do to make a movie.