Channeling (2013)

A contact lens allows people to broadcast their life live for viewers and sponsors. Wyatt (Taylor Handley) broadcasts his life as a stolen car racer with a hot girlfriend (Kate French). He is pursued and dies in an auto accident. His military brother Jonah (Dominic DeVore) returns home to avenge his death by pretending to be his brother, broadcasting illegal activity to gain an audience.The film is for people who feel they are so important that the world wants to know every time they go out an eat a cheeseburger and they do. The production had a lot of "eye cam" first person viewing, but it wasn't exclusive, so the film wasn't as idiotic as "Hardcore Henry." The final conflict was very anti-climatic.Guide: F-word. Brief sex and nudity.

Once upon a time, there was Google Glass, which allowed you access to social media via a headband and a projector just above your eyes. It also allowed you to take photo's and shoot videos. The story that writer and director, Drew Thomas, gives the audience is one of the possible progressions of that technology. He crafts an interesting tale that not only shows the positives but some of the many negatives for this type of tech, as it is directed more towards social media. What would you do to increase viewers, ratings, and sponsorship? Especially when more viewers gives the user more sponsorship money...Wyatt Maddox (Taylor Handley) is out to have fun. He and his partner Tara (Kate French) "Borrow" cars for races, which are aired live through Wyatt's eye-cam. During one of these races, something goes wrong and Wyatt ends up dead. This prompts the return of Jonah (Dominic DeVore), Wyatt's older brother who was serving overseas. It's not long before he realises that all is not right with his brother's death and starts to investigate, by pretending to be Wyatt.Though the story is intelligent and gripping there are times when the film falls flat. These are mainly when the movie changes from action mode to drama. I'm not saying that Thomas cannot film dramatic scenes as one of the best scenes stars Skyler Day as Jonah's and Wyatt's sister Ashleigh who has an epiphany about her use of the tech and her followers. Skyler Day is also the strongest actor in the cast, definitely someone to keep an eye on. However, Thomas is clearly more at home directing the action sequences as these are more powerful and controlled, as the trailer proves. I also loved the opening sequence of the fake advert, which would really work well if you were watching on telly.The acting is above average and most of the actors get behind their characters, though there are times when Kate French seems bored and uninterested at being there. This along with the inconsistencies in pace does wound the movie. However, it's worth at least one watch should you like mysteries, science fiction, or action thrillers.

Channeling, also known as Death on Live has a premise that would work well as a television movie but its hampered by its low budget and unknown stars who fail to elevate its more emotional moments.The film offers an intriguing look at the corrosive effect of social media in the near future where people have contact lens cameras that streams their lives. However in order to achieve higher ratings and attract sponsors some people take more risks such as stealing cars. This how the film starts as a car chase leads to the death of Wyatt Maddox. His brother Jonah, a serving soldier decides to investigate his death. Others want recognition from their peers and have a video log such as Wyatt's little sister who starts a relationship but her boyfriend is unbeknown to her is also broadcasting, even their more intimate moments together.Then there are the underground casinos which makes bets on the various peoples lives, such us if the person is pregnant. If she is will she have the baby or abort? Some bets are longer term as the punter's only know of the outcome some months later.Its not that far removed from real life. We already have crazy stunts on YouTube, revenge porn and gambling has moved on from just betting on the final results of a soccer match.However the low budget means the final product falls short and some of the acting is plain and even below par. Kate French is the standout star in a film that should had delivered more.

The film starts with a car chase that grabs the attention of the audience by placing them in a p.o.v. angle of a high speed chase. Its a great opening for the film as the viewer is immediately immersed into the storyline. Being an Iraq veteran I have long avoided films with anything to do with Iraq as its something I prefer not Channel. So I had lots of apprehension which I'm glad I did not allow to handicap me as this film is not a war film but a stick it to the man stand for your rights type of film. The film's plot line was intended I feel to be futuristic and to compliment that notion the lighting is dark and melancholy. It adds to the suspense of Jonah's character as he attempts to get to the same ratings as his brother. What's scary and not so far fetched anymore about this film is our societies youth are setting themselves on fire for nothing more than more views on a youtube. Via social media anyone can Channel and become overnight stars that fizzle out the next day. As J's sister found out fame can turn to a 7th grade cafeteria mean girls mentality as Jonah's in an instance. Overall I would recommend the film to anyone interested in futuristic films, fast cars, and the impact of social media on our daily interactions as humans. My only negative would be the car crash I just don't understand wrecking cars for cinematic purposes. Great film