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.

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.

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!

This kind of film is a wonderful mix of a contemporary love story and some old fashioned comedy. There is a real sincerity here which promotes a really nice feel all along the way.At first I wondered if the kids of today would like it as much. And I though, yes. We may be at a time where people of all ages are getting more reflective about our time here.The cast is superb. The lead guy,played by Nat Christian, underplays the character of Black just right. He brings out what he needs to with a subtlety that only true artists can do. Kim Oja, the female lead, is sweet and fun in the role of Katherine. As always, Ed Asner, the consummate actor is compelling to watch. Taylor Negron, John Kassir and Joan Van Arc balance out the cast with impressive skill and talent.The direction and the writing (also by Nat Christian) walks a fine line between comedy, philosophy and drama and I feel that Mr. Christian executed the incredible task beautifully.I was left thinking about the movie hours later and even after I went out and I came home. It just stayed on my mind. CHANNELS truly comes form an artist's point of view. An original voice. And I sure do feel we need more original voices.