4/5 This is what I look for in an "independent" movie!
  by CityLights291
When I think of an independent movie, the operative word for me is "independent."

The movie, CHANNELS, is just that. And it is imaginatively very good. Watching a movie with an original voice, while observing some very fine actors such as our leads, Nat Christian and Kim Oja, along with Ed Asner, Taylor Negron, John Kassir and Joan Van Ark, is truly a joy.

Christian and Oja are a great pair. He is so compellingly real and natural, that you think the camera just peeked in on him. She is engaging as well with a delightfully reserved charm.

Christian is also the writer and director of CHANNELS. He brews poignant thoughts and some laughs, beautifully and skillfully wrapped to open for an enjoyable watch.

The romantic look of the movie is helped by cinematography (Michael Hardwick). production design (Dolores Piazza) and visual effects (Duane Condor).

There are several very funny scenes in the movie.
I hope to see more from Christian.

5/5 An exceptional romantic comedy.
  by 94113Loco (San Francisco, CA USA)
Romantic comedies is a genre which I usually don't go out of my way to see. I like them really funny or really romantic. But generally, this genre is usually too light for me. A friend of mine saw this at a film festival and recommended it.

Well, "Channels" is a romantic comedy, but it is more, or it has a fuller plate. I really enjoyed the romance and the comedic aspects, but I was also very moved. It takes our lead characters to a crossroads where they must decide, logically or instinctually, on what to do.

The writer and director, Nat Christian, wonderfully delivers his vision about a man, who is about to move up in his career, yet is very bored about everything in his life. He does feel alive whenever he watches a character on a TV series. Through a strange event, she meets up wt him at his place. They try to figure it all out and, in the process, fall in love with each other. Then she decides that if she believes deeply enough in their situation, it is indeed "reality." His logic gets in his way. And this is where he approaches another crossroad.

The film stars Kim Oja as "Katherine." Oja, a gifted actress, wonderfully executes the task of playing dual characters. I wish we could see more of her on the big screen. Nat Christian also plays the lead character of "Black." He is a compelling, "organic" actor delivering a highly crafted nuanced performance. I felt like I was watching a regular guy from the street... an "every man." Together, Christian and Oja work very well on the screen.

A funny showbiz agent is wonderfully played by the talented, John Kassir (famous for his "voices"). Also excellent is Taylor Negron. Joan Van Ark brings much sympathy to her character as a TV executive who must stand tough. And Ed Asner is both strong and hilarious as another studio type executive. He is a national treasure.

The look is romantic. The production design by Dolores Piazza contributes to that. Beautiful images were captured by cinematographer Michael Hardwick and was helped along by Visual Effects artist, Duane Condor. A song written by Daryl Orenge (with lyrics by Christian) is very catchy. And the score by Rossano Galante is brilliant.

I found the DVD copy to be a little on the dark side, but I was told that the screening at the festival was not. Hopefully that will be fixed on the next printing.

I loved "Channels." It gave me a wonderful experience.

5/5 A terrific love story
  by Film Speed 000 (Chicago)
Loved the feel of this movie. Romantic, yet very thoughtful. I thought about it a lot after seeing it.

All of the actors did a very fine job. This is an intelligent movie. Not your typical genre type. I kind of wished the ending would be different, but I respect the writer/director's vision.

Actors, Nat Christian, Kim Oja, Ed Asner, John Kassir, Taylor Negron, Joan Van Ark give it their all. They are real and truthful in a comedy, which is what makes the comedy work.

The direction is superb, slowly involving us in a man's state of being, then having us get caught up in the romance, and then his decision on what to do next. The music, look and FX were great too.

If you're looking for something unique, then this may be for you.

I hope that, in today's climate, more films like this are made.

4/5 A love story that snuck up on me
  by EastCoastSummers
Channels is not your ordinary romantic comedy. It is sweet, funny and sad. And I felt for the characters a lot.

The excellent cast includes Nat Christian, Kim Oja, Ed Asner, Taylor Negron, Johnn Kassir and Joan Van Ark. All of the minor characters are played by talented actors.

Talented Kim Oja brings a Carol Lombardish quality to the screen.

Nat Christian instills his character with an arc that ranges from cynical to madly in love expressive, to deep sadness.

The chemistry between Oja and Christian is like some of the great old time movie star couples during the screwball era.

One of my favorite lines is when Christian's character tells her (he delivers it like a compliment) that, one day, she will make some very lucky man very unhappy.

John Kassir, always a good actor, brings a cynical agent to life in this movie.

Joan Van Ark is beautiful and quite believable as a tough but courteous producer.

Taylor Negron skillfully plays an idealistic, but very politic person. Ed Asner has a great monologue which he delivers beautifully.

The story telling is first class and doesn't rely on shock elements. The direction keeps it moving and seems to give all of the actors a lot of freedom.

The music by Rossano Galante could have well been made for a mega dollar studio film. Notably, there is a song written by Daryl Orenge and Nat Christian, that is quite catchy.

The DP's "look", the Production Design and VFX are all excellent.

Channels is one of those finds, which takes you by surprise and a subtle journey.

5/5 What a wonderfully unique film.
  by TLewisMichigan (Michigan, USA)
I saw this at a friend's house and really liked it. I bought it, because I thought there may be some more subtle references that I didn't catch the first time.

CHANNELS, written and directed by Nat Christian, who also plays the lead character of "Black'" is a unique film that presents us with a situation that many of us can relate to. Do we take action now or hesitate?

Christian masterfully crafts a story about a movie producer who is about to step up in his career, goes home at nights completely bored. He is lifeless. He then basically channel surfs. He comes to life when a certain character, "Katherine," enters a scene in a night time soap opera.

Through a strange circumstance, Katherine enters Black's world and the two of them fall in love with each other. At a certain point, Katherine doesn't care about making "sense" of it all and wants to give it her all. It seems like Black might feel the same way. I won't say what happens from this point on, because this is where the third act, so to speak, starts to kick in.

Oja, an adorable actress, skillfully brings humor as well as drama in her task of playing dual roles. You like watching this very talented actress. And apparently Christian knew that by giving her character many closeups.

Christian delivers a powerful nuanced performance. A truthful actor. Such performances are seen in some very good recent movies, such at the one given by the lead actor, who plays the professor, in "The Visitor." Christian is always honest and we faithfully follow his character throughout.

Christian and Oja have a great chemistry on the screen.

Taylor Negron, best known for more comedic roles, delivers a warm and touching performance as a director.

John Kassir is funny and sharp as a movie industry agent.

Ed Asner delivers some very punchy lines as well. He is also wonderfully tough as a studio boss.

Joan Van Ark is getting more attractive as the years go on, and is sharp and very sympathetic as a TV Producer.

The look is romantic thanks to the skillful photography by Michael Hardwick and the set design by Dolores Piazza.

A powerful score by Rossano Galante carries a wallop.

The visual effects (and co-editing) by Duane Condor is quite effective.

For me, the story works as a romantic comedy and a bittersweet love story. But also profoundly as a philosophical thought.

I'm noticing more movies starting to come out that are more poetic and philosophical in content. I hope the trend continues.

CHANNELS sneaks up on you with quite a punch.