If you want to read lengthy, drawn-out reviews of the movies in theaters now (or soon to be) then this isn't the blog you should be reading. Most of the posts from The Other Critic are short, sweet and to the point; that's how we roll here.

We also don't just focus on current movies. Let's face it, there are plenty of good movies that have been made, and sometimes viewers have a tendency to forget that there is more to life than movies in the theaters.

With all that said, please enjoy the short and concise, and sometimes opinionated reviews. If you don't like them, that's okay—we won't hold it against you.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Hotel for Dogs


The Scoop:

Thor Freudenthal makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of Lois Duncan’s children’s book HOTEL FOR DOGS. Sixteen-year old Andi (Emma Roberts) and her younger brother, Bruce (Jake T. Austin), are orphans living with their foster parents (Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon), two washed-up musicians. Desperate to keep what’s left of their family together, Andi and Bruce have secretly been caring for their family dog, Friday, on the sly for the last few years. When they follow their beloved pet into an abandoned hotel and find stray dogs living there, Andi and Bruce decide to round up all the strays in the city and expand their family. With the help of Dave (Johnny Simmons) and Heather (Kyla Pratt), two teens who work at the local pet store, they transform the abandoned hotel into a canine wonderland, using young Bruce’s skills as an inventor to make an automated feeding system, doggie restrooms, and some fun amusements, such as a car-ride simulation and a fetching machine. But if Animal Control has their way, all the residents of the hotel will be taken to the pound, and it’s up to Andi and Bruce to save their new family.

Here's what The Other Critic has to say about the film:

We actually dared to take our kids to see this one in the theater—and if you know anything about kids and theaters, you'll know that if it doesn't grab and keep their interest, you'll find them eating candy, gum and popcorn off the floor—my kids are no exception to this rule.

Turns out that the movie did capture their attention, even the little one, and held it for almost the entire movie. This is a great show for anyone who has kids who love dogs. The story was a little predictable in parts, and some of the funny parts seemed a little forced—especially Lisa Kudrow's character. Julia Robert's niece did a great job—hope to see her in more films in the future.

All in all, I'd say this is a show you can take your family to the theater to see (matinee prices are acceptable to pay for this one—but not full price) or wait until it comes out to rent—or buy, if you really, really like it.

The Specs
Here are the vitals on the movie.

Hotel For Dogs
Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow
Rated: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Posted by Jeremy English at 7:09 AM

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