Channels

Yeah! A movie that not only entertains with chuckles here and there, but really moves you with some knockout punches. The main characters played by Nat Christian and Kim Oja have a marvelous chemistry. You WANT these two to be together. Christian has the magnetism and sex appeal of some of the old time male movie stars. Oja fits right in with the sweet yet sexy clan. Both are great actors. Christian never hits a false note and allows us to journey with him throughout the movie. As the director of the movie too, Christian selflessly gives a lot of screen time to all of his co-stars. Oja is able too show us a comedic style that hasn't been shown before. Joan Van Ark, still hot at her age, is able to project a vulnerability under her character's hard shell. Ed Asner has a great monologue which made me nearly fall over laughing. John Kassir and Taylor Negron are perfect matches for these actors and are always interesting to watch. It was great to see Amber Barretto on the screen, along with Chloe Hunter. Both are beauties who could grace any movie. Gil Glaskow is a standout in a supporting role.

The director takes us on an emotional journey step by step with our main characters and mixes it up with some great imagery. The composer, Rossano Galante, delivers an emotional score.

Wow!

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!

CHANNELS affirms that love is a force to which the laws of space and time do not apply.

The screenplay brings our characters together and holds on to them, while subtly exploring what is "real", or what makes something real, or rather how we define what is "real."

Nat Christian performs the triple task of writing, directing and acting with great virtuosity.

As an actor, he is compelling to watch, always honest. Kim Oja shows a feisty side along with a sweetness that would melt anyone's heart. In a cameo appearance, Joan Van Ark sobers you up with her fine acting ability. The multi-talented Ed Asner can only be real. The scenes with him and Christian are funny and tense. Rounding out the main cast, Taylor Negron and John Kassir are consummate actors.

Director, Christian, handles his actors masterfully, giving them a healthy amount of screen time. They all deliver real performances. As a storyteller, Christian captivates us from point A to point Z. Not just going there, but taking us there.

The production design was utterly romantic. The score by Rossanno Gallante was moving.

I'll probably watch this movie once a year (maybe once every two years).

CHANNELS makes you realize that the time to act is now. Before it is too late.

Within the context of a love story, we are made to laugh, to enjoy and to cry as we begin to realize how precious it is to seize the moment.

I read that the budget was something like 200,000.00. I can only imagine that, if the movie was made for 60 million, how it could have been a box office success and even an Oscar contender.

Writer-director-actor, Nat Christian's film works on so different levels - as a love story; as a philosophical introspective; and as a comedy. Most importantly as one person's true realization that time has passed. The cast works beautifully under Christian's direction. So does the music (Rossano Galante) and the camera work (Michael Hardwick).

As an actor, Christian is one of those very rare talents who is incredibly fascinating to watch, only using honest, subtle, nuances. Hopefully he'll act in more features. John Kassir as a selfish agent is very funny. Kim Oja is sincere and real, and beautiful. Taylor Negron is also very real both in the serious scenes as well as the comedic ones. Ed Asner and Joan Van Ark make special appearances and contribute great talents to the movie.

Is the film right for everyone? Probably not. But if you like romance and would like to think about things after the movie, CHANNELS may be right for you.

A movie like this is rare and wonderful. This sweet whimsical movie that is entertainment the way I like it. it makes you, forgive my cliché, laugh, cry and think. I thought about how little actual time we have here to enjoy what is "real" to us. And not to let little things get in our way.

The acting was real. Nat Christian, as the main character, never hits a false note. This actor couldn't lie if he had to. Kim Oja graces the movie with her charm. John Kassir, a terrific actor, is very funny as an agent. It was a joy to see Taylor Negron not camp it up and still be funny, but in a real way. Ed Asner plays it gruff with a skillful mix of comedy and drama. A scene with Joan Van Arc and Nat Christian is very moving. Both are consummate actors.

The direction is crisp with a sure hand by writer-director, Christian. The score by Rossano Galante is extremely moving. I recommend it to anyone of all ages.