Out of the Blue (I) (2006) User Reviews

Sets the pulse racing!

[ColonelFaulkner · 8/10 · 20 October 2006]

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!

Good portrayal of a tragic event

[blackrat1958 · 7/10 · 21 October 2006]

It was refreshing to watch a movie that accurately depicted events without all of the Hollywood American-Pie. The acting and cinematography made this film feel as though it were a fly-on-the-wall documentary. I feel that the subject, and particularly David Gray, could have done with more of an introduction. The movie was 100 minutes long but I was so engrossed by the candid nature of the film, it felt much shorter. I didn't even finish my popcorn and drink! All-in-all, this is a hard-hitting movie about a tragic incident. It isn't glamourised at all and I came out of the movie feeling quite subdued. Worth a watch.

Chilling and should be sought out

[dbborroughs · 8/10 · 23 December 2007]

New Zealand docudrama about the massacre that occurred in Aramoana when an angry gun nut opened fire on his neighbors and severely reduced the population.

Slow to start, I thought that this was going to be a typical story of a shooting with its pleasant vistas and the get to know the participants set up scenes. However once things got going things spiral out in ways that they can only in real life. The violence, which we know is coming, is at first explosive and in its way out of left field. Then as the neighbors and soon to be targets attempt to figure out what the "fireworks" are things becoming darker as the random acts of violence begin to pick up. What do you do when a nut job begins to open fire? Here's the answer.

Though far from perfect, its a tad too clinical for my tastes, this film really packs a punch, especially in the final scenes where there are a few decidedly haunting images that not only drive home whats happened but also turns so of what we've seen on their ear (The swat team in slo mo).

I thought it was quite good. However I'm not particularly pleased with the Weinstein company who is its distributor. No ads for the film in New York. Sure you screened it for critics, but no add other than in the general ad for the IFC center where its playing. Clearly you don't want anyone to see it or know it existed.(I caught it on IFC on Demand cable service.) I only gave it a shot because I saw the title in the Time Out New York film reviews. Clearly they don't know what they are doing since here's a film they should promote but don't, yet other things like... Doogal...they promote like mad even thought it belongs in the bottom of a charnel house's fire pit.

If you get a chance to see it do so, its too good not to be seen.

Harrowing

[plutus1947 · 21 May 2008]

Spoiler

This film is about a little remembered incident in the tiny township of Aramoana in New Zealand in 1990.

End Spoiler

There is not a great deal to say about this movies except that it is an extremely harrowing account of what happened over 2 days in this quiet and somewhat sleepy township.

What makes this film so unnerving is the way in which it was shot. Not a great deal of dialogue, we were allowed to watch and see this terrible piece of history unfold in virtual real-time and were allowed get to know many of the victims and their families just prior to and during the events of those 2 days.

This I feel made the film a cut above the normal type of movies of this kind and extremely well directed by Robert Sarkies.

This is one film which will live in my memory for a long time to come and I thoroughly recommend it.

Plutus

One horrific day in New Zealand.

[michaelRokeefe · 7/10 · 24 April 2008]

This stark drama is based on the Aramoana Massacre in New Zealand in 1990. An out-of-work, down-on-his-luck gun collector David Gray(Matthew Sunderland), upset with the local where his family has banked forever, is at the end of his rope...he snaps. Gray turns a solemn peaceful small town into the site of a bloody nightmare. He goes on a rampage and starts shooting everyone that comes in the vicinity of his home. Lifelong friends become targets. He even shoots animals that get in the way. He end up killing 13 citizens of the community before being gunned down by the local police. Makes you think hard about your own neighbors. Others in the cast: Karl Urban, Lois Lawn, Simon Ferry and Tandi Wright.

Out of the Blue

[sonofmunson · 9/10 · 12 October 2006]

On November 13 1990, David Gray, an unemployed recluse, shot dead 13 people in the small coastal hamlet of Aramoana near Dunedin.

There was much conjecture about whether it was a good idea for someone to make a film about this tragic incident but it has been made and, for the most part, it has been made well.

Robert Sarkies, in a return to form after his well received first feature Scarfies, has created an amazing work of art. The opening shots of Aramoana are breath taking, and the cinematography throughout the film follows suit. The beauty of the scenery only serves to juxtapose the ugly events which take place over those 22 hours of terror.

Using Bill O' Brien's book Aramoana, Sarkies and co-writer Graeme Tetley have crafted a screenplay which focuses on subtlety and nuance. Sarkies intelligently uses these subtleties in several scenes involving Gray. Blurred camera work when Gray is on screen not only show his blurred take on reality, but also reflects his reportedly poor eyesight.

The cast is above average but two actors stand apart. It would have been inappropriate to have displayed Gray as anything but a monster, but Matthew Sunderland is able to give Gray a certain sense of pathos. His portrayal of the paranoid schizophrenic shows the killer to be a shell of a man, who has been overtaken by a terrible disease. We find him chilling and repugnant, yet one cannot help but sympathise with a person who has become so inhuman he appears more animal than man.

The other standout performance comes from Karl Urban as policeman Nick Harvey - one of the first officers on the scene. His eyes display the mixture of fear, confusion and disbelief at what lay before him at Aramoana. Watching him cradle a young girl in his arms, desperately trying to comfort her after she has been shot, is perhaps one of the most touching scenes in a movie crammed full of profound moments.

It is strange to have such a beautiful film made about such a terrible moment in New Zealand history. However, the sensitivity and emotion shown to the tragedy make the film an important commentary on the horrors of modern society. Even in a place like Aramoana, seemingly untainted by the rigours of modern life, can the harsh realities of the world be found and in these moments the human spirit is tested. The people of Aramoana and the emergency services sent to help them are testament to the fact that in the end love and compassion will prevail over the hate and disgust of sick individuals like David Malcolm Gray.

All was not well in Paradise

[Mountain-Storm · 10/10 · 24 October 2006]

I remember very well the events unfolding in Aramoana as it was broadcast on the TV and radio. I was a Police Officer at the time and the death of a fellow officer was tough news to hear. Seeing the events recreated on screen for the first time brought the memories flooding back. Seeing how even in a relatively peaceful nation such as New Zealand, no-one is immune from random acts of violence was very sobering. I sat bolt upright the entire movie and didn't realise it. The theater was deathly quiet. This is a movie that pulls no punches and has not an inkling of Hollywood in it. It is a sad, dramatic, true to life retelling of the massacre. This type of film is one of the reasons I avoid many of the big budget Hollywood movies. There's no glorification here, no overly animated death scenes, this is movie making at it's best. The story is being told without embellishment and in a sadly beautiful way. A must see for New Zealander's, and for anyone else interested in seeing a powerful, compelling movie. New Zealand's movie of the year, without doubt.

Pleasant surprise

[istee-80505 · 7/10 · 23 June 2021]

Came across this lil gem by accident browsing on prime . Love NZ cinema so I gave it a chance and it turned out to be pretty amazing .

Raising the bar in New Zealand cinema

[GardenStateFan · 10/10 · 11 October 2006]

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.

Well produced drama

[penseur · 9/10 · 14 October 2006]

It was inevitable that - like the Stan Graham saga of 1941 made into the movie "Bad Blood" - the Aramoana massacre of 1990 would eventually be turned into a feature film. To their credit, the cast and crew of this have done a good job of it and perhaps just as importantly, the script writers have attempted to provide a little insight into why it happened, although the full background is something that people will need to read the two books that were written about it to get. The film starts in the morning of the day it started (the events lasted into the next day) and continues - with only a couple of brief flashbacks on the part of Gray - till a conclusion just after Gray is shot dead by police. It manages to keep fairly true with the actual events (as described in the two books) although there are some departures of varying importance. The film works well as a drama and unlike a Hollywood movie doesn't portray anyone as a superhero, or thickly apply sentimentality. The cinematography is also superb.

Haunting.Issues with the audio quality

[stuart-donaldson · 5/10 · 9 March 2022]

An excellent film depicting a horrible part of New Zealand's history. One issue I had is the sound quality. I found it very difficult to understand what the cast were saying and the version I was watching didn't have subtitles.

must see

[peggy-trawick · 10/10 · 26 June 2007]

I'm a somewhat elderly American, resident in New Zealand, and this is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Everyone who appreciates truly fine movies should see this one. You needn't be a kiwi to get it. Photography, acting, composition, everything in this movie shines. As other viewers have suggested, this movie compares favorably to Hollywood and Hollywood-influenced movies (such as "Lord of the Rings", ahem) because it doesn't depend on special effects, mind-blowing battle scenes, guts or gore or gorgeous actresses to keep our attention. Regardless of what you do or do not compare it to, this one is riveting, a masterpiece.

Awesome Film

[tim_devaney · 10/10 · 16 October 2006]

I went to see this film on the day it was released. WOW what a awesome movie very powerful true and deeply moving. The way they have filmed it is good and its not as graphic as I thought it would be. Everyone in NEw Zealand should see this film but it is not one I recommended you watch alone as it is very sad. The actors in the movie play there parts great they all gave it 100% . One of the actors in the film is personally known to me and for the young age he is played his role very well considering what the film is about. I give this movie 10 out of ten for everything . Its a must see film .

T M D

a lack of sensationalism sets this one apart from similar films

[Buddy-51 · 8/10 · 22 December 2009]

On November 13, 1990, the peace and quiet that once reigned over the picturesque coastal village of Aramoana, New Zealand was forever shattered when one of its residents, a 38-year-old madman, went on an extended shooting spree, indiscriminately massacring more than a dozen of his fellow citizens and neighbors - innocent men, women and children alike.

Artfully directed by Robert Starkies, "Out of the Blue" is most notable for the matter-of-fact way in which it portrays the events of that day. The movie spends the first half hour or so focusing on the townspeople as they go about the business of their daily lives, blissfully unaware of the grim fate that awaits them. It's an unnerving reminder of just how fragile a thing life is, as it can be taken away without warning. Without a hint of sensationalism or phony theatrics, "Out of the Blue" plunges us deep into the heart of a real-life nightmare, staying true to the ordinary folk - both the victims and the survivors - who suffered through the ordeal and to the innate randomness of the event itself.

For obvious reasons, we don't get to know the characters all that well before they fall victim to the killer, but that's in keeping with the near-documentary nature of the film. And once the shooting starts, the focus shifts almost exclusively to the local law enforcement officials who are frankly ill-trained and poorly equipped to handle an emergency of this magnitude. Yet, out of the ugliness and chaos, acts of extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice and kindness are born.

Beautifully photographed and exquisitely acted, "Out of the Blue" is a thriller in the truest sense of the term, made all the more gripping by its adhering so closely to life as we know it. Hollywood movie makers could learn a thing or two from this film.

Aptly titled, respectful adaption of a national tragedy.

[mumblerah · 9/10 · 31 July 2018]

Sarkies does a brilliant job setting up the feel and mood of a small New Zealand seaside town in a slice of life style, giving us a brief but sufficient set up into the lives of those involved prior to the massacre. Then, as the title suggests, out of the blue comes the dark and unexpected. Sarkies doesn't shy away from the violence and terror, nor does he glorify it. His method of storytelling via following the first affected family, to the first initial killings with Gray then onto the first (and only) officer on the scene is extremely effective in showing how tense and unpredictable David was, and how the town had a night of horrific terror. The acting is superb, the music effective, and the location beautiful (as it was shot at a neighbouring location to the actual town involved). Stand out performances by the two leading actors, although the rest of the cast (relatively unknown) perform exceptionally too.

What can I say

[robdrummond · 5/10 · 6 May 2022]

Foe the first 25 mins absolutely NOTHING happened. Although this was a true life tragedy - I almost gave up.

When it finally got going it was tedious and frankly rather boring. I am sorry to say this as the real-life stories behind this are heart breaking - but this film? It didnt do justice to the events somehow.

The most interesting thing about the film for me is the - pre credits - where they advise about the victims.

A lesson in film-making: How less can be much, much more.

[petehill854 · 10/10 · 19 September 2013]

This is a superb film which depicted a horrific, tragic & extremely violent real-life event without ever descending into sensationalism, over-dramatization or melodrama. The film is a classic example of how a low budget can be turned into an asset- the director making a virtue out of the film's self-imposed limitations, creating a masterpiece of under-statement. The film depicts ordinary people reacting to extraordinary events and does so beautifully despite the extreme subject matter, the sharp contrast between the sleepy seaside beauty of the locale and the horrors of the event proving very effective. The film does not beg the viewer to hate Gray, in this film he is depicted as more pathetic than evil, a mentally ill man whose isolation, self-obsession and idleness has festered into paranoia, fear and rage, erasing any empathy for his fellow human beings. Yet the film allows the viewer to almost pity him as much as we want to fear and loathe him. In one telling scene, Police officer Harvey and Detective Knox cautiously enter Gray's house and in one room there is a hobby desk with miniature models of military vehicles & soldiers that Gray has constructed, indicating the lonely fantasy world he inhabited. The film avoids graphic portrayals of the violence- most of the deaths occur either off-camera or are filmed from a distance. The hand-held camera technique, so over-used by other directors, is used here with restraint, allowing for a gentle naturalism, rather than the bobbing camera, self-conscious hyper-realism of a film like Bloody Sunday or the battle scenes of Saving Private Ryan. Another plus for the film is the avoidance of any glib summary or moralising of the event. Instead, the film lets us view a silent montage of the survivors of the events, each dealing with the grief and trauma in one of the most moving dialogue-free sequences I have ever seen. I highly recommend this film and I hope it serves as a warning over here in Australia as the housing boom in the major cities forces people on low incomes out into small, forgotten towns, including many people who are the most vulnerable and dysfunctional members of society, condemning them to live their lives in isolation, loneliness and poverty, breeding the ideal conditions for another hundred David Grays to emerge.

Should Be Seen By Any Thinking Adult

[nturner · 10/10 · 7 November 2008]

There are hundreds of movies out their about mass murderers in a range of pretty much unwatchable to excellent, edge-of-your-seat viewing. A large majority of these films are fiction and can be dismissed as just blood and gore thrillers no matter their quality. There are a few that are based upon terrorist acts that for most of the viewers, fortunately, can be dismissed as something so foreign to their everyday lives that a comfortable distance with reality can be kept. Out of the Blue doesn't fit into either of these categories, and that is what makes it even more horrifying.

Probably in every neighborhood in the world, there lives the loner - the "You kids stay out of my yard," grouch who is probably more of an object of humor or exasperation rather than fear. Out of the Blue is the true story of one such man who lived in a small seaside village in New Zealand in 1990.

David Gray lived in a small shack in Aramoana, New Zealand. He was a social outcast who often had disagreements with his closest neighbor over petty things - things that most neighbors would settle easily. As Gray lived his lonely life, he was slowly amassing a large collection of guns and supposed wrongs perpetrated against him by his neighbors and government officials. On November 13, 1990, one of his neighbor's daughters crossed into Gray's yard, and that set off a horrifying series of events which ended the next day with thirteen residents - men, women, and children - murdered.

It is a bit ironic that earlier in the day before watching this DVD, I was discussing with a friend her nephew who suffers from mental instability. This man in his forties whom I have known since his late teens has manifested imaginary wrongs, many of which happened more than twenty years ago. He is unable to release himself from these feelings because he truly believes them even though most of them never really happened in the way that he has perceived them. Perhaps knowing this man has caused Out of the Blue to have a greater effect upon me, but I am willing to guess that most of the readers of this review know someone like my friend's nephew who teeters on the edge of stability daily. It certainly brought the film very close to home for me.

The acting in Out of the Blue is excellent. Each and every actor on screen makes you believe in the character, but I think the thing that puts the film in the five star category is its brilliant direction. Robert Sarkies skillfully draws you into Aramoana and makes you a resident of the village way before the first shot is fired. He also helps you to understand David Gray as much as he can be understood. The viewer hates David Gray for what he did but still can summon up a bit of compassion for this sad, sad outsider.

Out of the Blue is a great little film that should be seen by any thinking adult - especially any adult who knows a sad outsider.

intense!

[daviddavidlim86 · 9/10 · 8 November 2006]

definitely one of the most powerful films i've ever seen and certainly one of the top 3 films of 2006, the others being V for Vendetta and Children of Men.. i'd highly recommend any New Zealander whether they still live in NZ or not to watch this at least once.. the cinematography is just awesome - the shots of the serenity of Aramoana village were captured perfectly..

Out of the Blue doesn't try to be violent.. in fact all the shooting scenes were rather tame and looked p fake compared to e.g. History of Violence, Kill Bill or the usual American action fare.. rather it focuses on the decline of David Gray towards insanity and ultimately one of, if not the darkest moment in New Zealand's short history..

it's good to see the New Zealand film industry riding a crest of a wave since the success of Lord of the Rings..not just Hollywood funded films like King Kong or the Last Samurai which were all filmed in NZ, but also local productions like In My Father's Den, World's Fastest Indian, Sione's Wedding and now Out of the Blue have had a big impact at film fests all over the world..

go Aotearoa New Zealand! even if you're not a Kiwi you should still watch Out of the Blue.. it will leave ya stunned..

Absolutely superb

[morrelle · 10/10 · 28 July 2009]

Chilling and real. This is a standout amongst some great NZ films. Shot superbly on location, letting the facts tell the story. Such a tragedy could not have been portrayed any better. No explanation given for the events, simply a true story well told. Karl Urban showing great talent once more as the local policeman. Fantastic cinematography, the interspersed shots of tranquil beaches juxtaposed with the outright horror of what was taking place. A simple human story well worth watching. NZ cinema is alive and well and kicking Hollywood's butt when it comes to telling real stories well. Understated presentation of the facts, see this film.

Improved policing after this tragedy?

[nappinglightly · 3/10 · 24 October 2023]

As this film progressed I believed I was not only watching a movie about the tragic events of 1990 but also one of under-funded and seriously under-trained police. It appeared to be a main theme of the flick with serious bad decision making by them appearing quite frequently. This included not having the right communications equipment, losing car keys, a complete inability to secure at least 2 people shot who subsequently died and of course not taking a shot at the gunman when he was in clear sight. Those people who died needlessly of their wounds because of poor police ability in securing them was particularly galling.

Therefore I waited for the end of the movie in expectation of how the terrible events in Aramoana led to an improvement in police practices. No such information was forthcoming. Remarkably in fact quite the opposite happened with a list of accolades bestowed on police which, according to the movie portrayal at least, possibly wasn't deserved. It was error after error from them and the fact that this wasn't explained in the ending credits to me was a real insult to the families of those who lost loved ones in this shooting.

A Kiwi silver screen classic!

[locutas · 10/10 · 15 March 2020]

As a Kiwi i remember to well the events that occured in this movie unfolding in real life, this film is an accurate portrayal of a true tragedy for New Zealand and filmed masterfully , a true Kiwi Classic

Remember it well

[lyrrem-34373 · 10/10 · 25 August 2021]

I remember this day like it was yesterday. The tension, despair and devastation can be felt in this movie. The heartbreak rife throughout the country. A well made movie and accurate.

WOW! (mild spoiler, in the very last sentences)

[shuntbento1 · 9/10 · 12 April 2008]

It starts off a bit slow... I thought it would be the typical horror flick where some idiot decides to kill people and you basically go "eh, whatever" about halfway through and start rolling your eyes. Boy was I wrong. After the character buildup... yes, there is one in this movie... it progresses at a very quick pace. The horror in this film is more the realistic "wow, that actually occurs" rather than the blood, guts, and otherwise "classic horror movie" traits.

While watching this movie (assuming you are like me, in the good ole USA and used to our general type of police force) keep in mind this is set in a small town in the 1990s in New Zealand. I had to continuously remind myself its not here, we don't know how they would have responded there.

Overall, I would highly recommend it for someone that wants to watch a good movie, well acted, well made... with little blood, and a good story line. And yeah, apparently this actually happened. Thus the scary part. Be prepared to deal with some disturbing ideas... he doesn't care who he shoots. Keep that in mind when viewing this picture.

Beautiful and haunting

[Saiph90 · 10/10 · 18 April 2021]

This film has some of the most beautiful cinematography I have seen in recent years, the juxtaposition of the beauty and the horror are beautifully captured. A man descending into insanity and going on a murdering spree around the seaside town makes brings the question of gun control into focus. This film does not sensationalise the events and the acting is superb. I cannot recommend this film enough.