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Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

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.

Channels gives us an artist's point of view about what constitutes "reality." Covered in the frilly dressing of a romantic comedy. It really provokes some thought. The director and writer, Nat Christian cleverly seduces us into having fun and rooting for our two main characters. Then we suddenly realize that something serious, something big is happening.Christian demonstrates a confidence in carrying out his vision. This is his piece of work and he paints it the way he wants it to flow. It works very effectively. He also utilizes an alluring romantic look, helped by cinematographer Michael Hardwick, production designer Dolores Piazza and visual effects person Duane Condor.The actors give us impeccable performances. Ed Asner is always good, but here we also see several sides to him (and he has an outstanding monologue). Taylor Negron comes across sincere and is still funny at times. John Kassir is funny as a cynical character. Joan Van Ark looks hot and brings much strength to her role. The two leads are played by Christian and actress Kim Oja. Christian is a "natural" actor. Very real as though we were getting telescopic glimpses of this guy on the street. His honesty is appealing as well as compelling. Oja too is very interesting to watch. She has a lot of vulnerability under her beautiful facade. Both create a defining romantic chemistry.Special note should be given to Daryl Orenge who wrote a catchy tune with Christian and Cynthia Hasson. And to actors Christopher Shiffrin (in a very funny silent bit), Amber Barretto, Chloe Hunter and Gil Glasgow.It's a different kind of story. Not formula. But this formula worked real well for me.

It's not often that I can feel an authentic expression. In art it is sometimes referred to as a "voice." Often times, I would rather hear a "voice" than see a formula well done.In CHANNELS, a filmmaker's voice is heard. He doesn't shout it, but sort of lays it out like prose. The filmmaker is Nat Christian, who wrote and directed this movie with a lot of passion and a keen vision. The central question in the movie is whether or not we can make our own "realities."Christian's actors are also keen and very talented. Kim Oja plays two roles with real confidence and a lot of skill. It was hard to do, but she pulls it off beautifully. In the lead role, Christian gives a fiercely truthful performance, with subtle nuanced layers piling on as his character grows from being almost motionless to being in love. An honest actor, I felt like he just walked off of the street as his character. Ed Asner plays a supporting role with a subtle humor. He is one of those actors who can play it very straight, while being funny. Taylor Negron comes of sympathetic. John Kassir brings his experience and talents and delivers some funny moments as a frustrated agent. The music is irresistible. The look and feel of the whole movie is seductively romantic. The movie hits with a one-two punch of thoughtful poignancy towards the end.

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.