tonytu-1 I've been watching a lot of romantic comedies lately. Don't know why, but maybe because the advertising offers a refreshing change form all of the ultra-high special effects movies out there. Nothing negative about them I just wish that they put a little more into character relationships.Which brings me to CHANNELS. Didn't really know what I was getting into. So, initially I thought "okay, another romantic comedy on the lighter side." I was kind of on track with the "lighter side." Then the story takes a turn and I was drawn into what was being said and the value of time in regard to the people we become intimate with.This seemed like a very personal movie for writer, director and star, Nat Christian. And he delivers from his heart. As the main character, he gives a truthful performance, natural and he delivers his lines with great ease. Kim Oja as the female co-star makes for a great match with him. I cared about them. They don't play down to the audience. John Kassir, Taylor Negeron, Ed Asner and Jan Van Ark round out a superb cast of high caliber actors who are in this movie.CHANNELS is a romantic comedy that reaches higher and in a subtle and seductive way manages to do so.

FelixEbner I recently heard Ed Asner's voice in UP, and he was great. I rented a low budgeted independent movie, CHANNELS, and I got to see him in a supporting role that he completely embodies with humor and cynicism. But was just the beginning. The surprise was that CHANNELS is quite a special movie. Imaginative. Though a bit quirky, it presents big ideas, albeit on a minuscule budget. Nevertheless, the execution of these ideas are wonderfully done by all involved.Writer-director and lead actor, Nat Christian allows us in his psyche and romanticism with this sweet, poignantly lyrical and funny movie. This is a filmmaker who doesn't just settle for truth, but uses truths to explore further possibilities, thus presenting us with more of an expressionistic work of art rather than a basic representation of life.Co-star Kim Oja is perfectly cast as the ethereal love interest. Oja not only easily fills this role, but delivers very strong comedic chops, where she plays another character that is very opposite to her main character. Actors, Taylor Negron, John Kassir and Joan Van Ark lend their marvelous talents as an ensemble that blends well. Christian plays the lead role with imploding passion. He resists "showing" and his consistent honesty is refreshing, making you wonder a bit scene by scene. The score by Rossano Galante is quite romantic. Set design (Dolores Piazza) and cinematography (Michael Hardwick) all lend themselves to the romantic feel.Christian's put together a group actors and filmmakers, whose dedication and talents were able to make such a movie on, from what I've read, such a small budget.

CerebralInTheCity "Channels" is very affecting movie, a romantic comedy with a mix of some profoundly sincere thought.A character named "Black" (appropriate for his mood in the beginning) is a movie producer on the rise, who is having a hard time dealing with a movie that he is producing. The head of the studio feels that Black is messing up with his creative personnel. With all that is going on, the only place Black finds any solace, is when he goes home and routinely channels surfs, not really watching what is on the TV. He does, however, take note of a certain character, "Katherine", who appears on a specific TV series that comes on regularly. He is enchanted by her. Then one night, through an odd, unexplainable circumstance, the character appears in his apartment.They decide to figure out what is going on, but instead, eventually fall in love with each other. At a certain point, Katherine says that she simply doesn't care about making sense out of it all, and that they should just believe in their love and that is what matters, and that is what is "real." Black hesitates. And in that hesitation, he may have lost her. There is an interesting symbolism of a train passing by in his dreams. The train, representing time passing, fits in with his not taking advantage of the opportunity that appeared to him at a moment in time. The moment he hesitated. So, he tries very hard to get her backChannels stars Nat Christian, a completely honest actor, who is very interesting to watch. He imbues his characterization with a kind of poetic philosophical artistic stroke. Projecting a character's philosophy is an interesting place to go for an actor. And, in a restrained characterization, he makes it look simple ."Katherine" is played by Kim Oja, whose terrific talent matches her endearing nature. Oja seems very comfortable playing both comedy and drama, and she pulls it off.There are other marvelous actors, such as Ed Asner, John Kassir, Joan Van Ark and Taylor Negron. They were cast well, because each brings specific characterizations to this piece. The score by Rossano Galante is stirring and fits in with the poetic nature of "Channels."The writing and directing also had Nat Christian at the helm. He blends his thematic and cinematic vision with a commanding skill, allowing us to laugh at times, feel the romance, and still ponder the central question – With two lovers in a strange situation, if one believes strongly enough in the "love" could that make the situation real?

RobertStern212 Channels arrives with a somber mood, and a cynical attitude, but then does a fantastic job of creating a romantic atmosphere in which we can believe in.Actor, Nat Christian, gives a powerful, truthful and passionate performance as Black, a man so emotionally not alive, that when he comes home after a very busy day at work (he's a producer on a film shoot), he needs to just sit back and channel surf. His cynicism is delivered straightforward and not for show. He then starts to loosen up when he meets Katherine, played by the adorable Kim Oja. Christian, a masterful actor, doesn't immediately do a complete turnaround, but he does more of a gradual awakening, wonderfully playing these different moods. There is a lot of kissing and romance between Christian and Oja and the two of them burn up the screen (And there is no nudity). I've seen Nat Christian on TV when he started out doing soaps, and he was always engaging to watch.Kim Oja was a very pleasant surprise as a comedienne. Taylor Negron gives a vulnerable performance. John Kassir is perfect as a cynical talent agent. Ed Asner rules. Joan Van Ark is also great and should be doing more movies.Christian equals his acting talents as the director of Channels. Storytelling is the operative word. Done with artistry and sureness, he takes us to another place and we are there.The music by Rossanno Galante was enchanting. The cinematography by Michael Hardwick was alluring as well as the set design. There is a song written by Daryl Orenge and Nat Christian, that is quite catchy.Wonderful!