CAST
SAM WORTHINGTON, DAVID FIELD, TIMOTHY SPALL , FREYA STAFFORD, DAVID WENHAM

DIRECTED BY
JONATHAN TEPLITZKY

Jonathan Teplitzky’s Gold Coast set crime tale about ex-cons trying to go straight in a very crooked world features the usual smattering of tough talking colourful characters, yet it has a delicate touch which separates Gettin’ Square from the rest of crowd. Also look out for a superb comedic performance from a mullet wearing David Wenham.  

CAST
JUDY DAVIS. RICHARD MOIR, JOHN GREGG, CHRIS HAYWOOD, BILL HUNTER

DIRECTED BY
PHILLIP NOYCE

Phillip Noyce’s third feature (loosely based on the disappearance of social activist Juanita Nielson) saw the then young director already develop a deft hand as a master filmmaker. Heatwave starred Richard Moir and a sultry Judy Davis as idealists navigating the murky waters of a proposed development deal in Sydney’s King Cross, aggravating many a shady character who removed anyone in their way.

CAST
DAVID WENHAM, TONI COLLETTE, LYNETTE CURRAN, ANTHONY HAYES, JOHN POLSON

DIRECTED BY
ROWAN WOODS

David Wenhams’ chilling central performance is a highlight in this story of an ex-con whose release back into the world brings tragedy upon his family, especially his easily influenced brothers (John Polson, Anthony Hayes). Director Rowan Woods (his feature debut) cranks the tension up to 11.

CAST
ERIC BANA, KATE BEAHAN, VINCE COLOSIMO, SIMON LYNDON, DAN WYLLIE

DIRECTED BY
ANDREW DOMINIK

The film which made Eric Bana a star and brought about the Cult of Chopper. Writer / director Andrew Dominik’s “biography” of infamous Australian crime figure Mark “Chooper” Read is both a funny and deeply disturbing yarn on both the making of a cult figure, and a glimpse into the psychosis of one bat-shit crazy criminal. Bana’s absorbing performance earned him a much deserved AFI award.  

CAST
RUSSELL CROWE, JACQUELINE McKENZIE, DANIEL POLLOCK, LEIGH RUSSELL, ALEX SCOTT

DIRECTED BY
GEOFFREY WRIGHT

Writer/director Geoffrey Wright's controversial, confrontational, and violent movie about a group of Neo-Nazi skinheads led by the dangerous Hando (Russell Crowe) is an unflinching Melbourne based urban story with a hard edge, that separated itself from the fantasy inspired cinema which dominated the Australian Film Industry in the early to mid 1990's.

CAST
HEATH LEDGER, BRIAN BROWN, ROSE BYRNE, DAVID FIELD, SUSIE PORTER

DIRECTED BY
GREGOR JORDAN

Heath Ledger’s breakout role (coupled with that years 10 Things I Hate About You) saw the late great actor portray a small time crook over his head and in debt to a local gangster (Bryan Brown) hell bent in getting his money. Ledger’s screen presence and vast talent is felt in every frame in writer/director Gregor Jordan fast paced and deeply moving crime caper.  

CAST
CATE BLANCHETT, NONI HAZLEHURST, MARTIN HENDERSON, SAM NEIL, HUGO WEAVING

DIRECTED BY
ROWAN WOODS

Perhaps the most star studded ensemble of local talent put together for an Australian film, Little Fish saw Cate Blanchett return home and deliver one of her best performances as an ex-junkie struggling with temptation while dealing with the complexities of life on the straight and narrow. Character actor extraordinare Hugo Weaving chips in with a dazzling turn as Blanchett’s heroin addicted father.

CAST
ANTHONY LAPAGLIA, KERRY ARMSTRONG, VINCE COLOSIMO, BARBARA HERSHEY, GEOFFREY RUSH

DIRECTED BY
RAY LAWRENCE

Ray Lawrence’s mutli-character drama about loyalty, fear, and redemption, is also a thrilling crime mystery based on the disappearance of a key character. Anthony LaPaglia shines as the detective assigned to the case, while long time Australian actress Kerry Armstrong is brilliant as his chased wife. Perhaps the only film where the slapping sound of thongs (or flip-flops) brought on a sense of dread.    

CAST
DAVID ROBERTS, JOEL EDGERTON, ANTHONY HAYES, PETER PHELPS, CLAIRE VAN DER BOOM

DIRECTED BY
NASH EDGERTON

Crime thrillers don’t get any more tightly wound than The Square. The feature debut from stuntman Nash Edgerton (co-written and starring his brother Joel), The Square stars David Roberts as an ordinary bloke over his head and with blood literally on his hands, after a love affair with the wife of a local criminal leads to blackmail, murder, and much paranoia in a film which many have described as “the Coen’s down under”.

CAST
JAMES FRECHEVILLE, LUKE FORD, BEN MENDELSOHN, GUY PEARCE, JACKI WEAVER

DIRECTED BY
DAVID MICHOD

David Michod’s feature debut is a harrowing crime tale that focuses on one young man’s (James Frecheville) journey through a morality corrupt world, which is inhabited by his criminal family (led by Jacki Weaver and Ben Mendelsohn in career best turns ) and a justice system that is rotten to the core. Guy Pearce lends gravitas as the one good cop who appeals to Frecheville’s sense of right and wrong. Animal Kingdom won the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Award, and if there was any justice it would be in contention for the Oscar as well.