Who's Who?

Emma Roberts Jake T Austin Don Cheadle Lisa Kudrow Kevin Dillon Johnny Simmons Kyla Pratt Troy Gentile Ajay Naidu Eric Edelstein Gregory Sporleder Brendan Wayne Robinne Lee Yvette Nicole Brown Andre Ware Jonathan Klein Kenny Vibert Stephen Liska Jeremy Howard Tiya Sircar Mariah Moore Catherine Hill McCord Dwayne Swingler

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Andi Bruce Bernie Lois Scudder Carl Scudder Dave Heather Mark ACO Jake ACO Max ACO Dooley ACO Tanner Carol Ms Camwell Officer Jeff Evan Jason Desk Sergeant Hot Dog Man Marianne Beth Mathilda Frohmann Officer Clark

The Inside Story Andi and her younger brother Bruce have a secret: a furry, adorable and always hungry Jack Russell Terrier named Friday. When they can no longer keep their beloved pet in their small apartment, with a strict no-dogs allowed policy, the siblings will do whatever it takes to make a new home for him. That’s the premise of "Hotel for Dogs", an inventive urban fairy tale based on the beloved children’s book by author Lois Duncan ("The Twisted Window" & "Don't Look Behind You"), is best known for her brilliant psychological suspense novels. Passionate dog-lover, activist and film producer Lauren Shuler Donner ("Unaccompanied Minors" & "She's The Man") felt the book’s strong message about the importance of family, however unconventional it may be; made the novel an ideal property to bring to the big screen. What stood out for her was the fact that the story presented ample opportunities for humor and adventure. For her, the film "is as much an adventure as it is a comedy. Andi and Bruce have to ingeniously find a way to hide their own dog, Friday, and eventually, every stray dog they come across. The more dogs they rescue, the more dangerous it becomes for them. So Bruce has to keep coming up with new inventions to keep the dogs happy and quiet." She says "the comedy comes from the dogs’ personalities and interactions. As you can tell, I’m a big dog lover. My husband and I rescue dogs. We have three now. So, right away, that part of the story spoke to me. And I love kids as well. These kids cause a bit of havoc because they are willing to do anything to stick together." Filmmaker Thor Freudenthal, who makes his feature film directorial debut, was drawn to the way the film’s themes spoke to the importance of a sense of belonging. "It draws an interesting parallel between the kids and the dogs. Although I was aware that it was a risk to jump into directing my first feature working with both kids and animals, I recognized the importance and relevance of the story and thought it was worth it." Producer Jason Clark ("Monster House" & "Happy, Texas") had previously worked with Freudenthal on "Stuart Little" and "Stuart Little 2". His ability to produce CGI characters with lifelike personalities and emotion told Clark that Freudenthal’s acute attention to visual detail as lead storyboard artist made him a perfect candidate to direct "Hotel for Dogs". "I was fascinated by Thor’s creativity and his ability to create characters and moments that rely on visuals rather than dialogue," Clark explained. "I knew he would be able to imbue the dog characters with qualities we would all fall in love with." Shuler Donner ("Pretty in Pink" & "Free Willy") was determined that "Hotel for Dogs" should stand out from other family movies visually and believes that Freudenthal’s experience in animation gave him a unique edge. "We viewed a short film he directed and, within three minutes, we knew he was the guy. It was the way he framed shots, the way he moved the camera, the use of color, the use of light. He’s very visually savvy and very specific. And we wanted to make sure we had somebody who got along well with kids, who wasn’t too intimidating or gruff. He’s a real sweetheart and the kids took to him right away." Three time Genie Award winner (1980, '82 & '85) and Executive producer Ivan Reitman ("Meatballs" & "Heavy Metal") observes that Freudenthal’s work has a special feeling that will set the film apart from more run of the mill family fare. His observation is that the film "is a great story and very funny. It’s a terrific idea and we wanted someone who could tell the story in a way that would appeal to an entire family: to parents, adults and teenagers, as well as to kids." "Our mandate was that this had to be a film that parents like just as much as the kids," Shuler Donner says. "The dogs are so cute, the kids are so engaging and the inventions are so clever, that the parents will enjoy it." "There were several ideas that Thor really fought for that the rest of the team didn’t think were as important," producer Ewan Leslie ("The Secret Life of Bees") recalls. "Thor was often right, and that attention to detail elevated the movie way beyond your average family fare." Rising young star Emma Roberts ("Nancy Drew" & "Wild Child") was cast as the fast-talking, protective older sister, Andi. "We basically needed to find someone who could carry a whole movie," says Freudenthal. "Finding the right actress to play Andi was very important because the character has to be tough and protective of her brother but also vulnerable and very sympathetic," says producer Leslie. "Emma is one of those young actors whose face just lights up the screen and she has the ability to play a wide range of emotions without any dialogue. The camera just loves her." "Emma has star dust," says Clark. Roberts admits she was excited by the role. "Andi is definitely a bit of a tomboy but is cautious and very protective of her little brother, Bruce. Through this adventure, the dogs and the new friends they make, they get something they’ve never had before." It took a nationwide search to find the right young actor to play Bruce. Clark ("The Mighty") remembers meeting Jake and recognizing qualities in him that perfectly suited Bruce. "Jake came in really late in the casting process after we had seen close to eighty boys and he was amazing on every level." Austin says he enjoyed inhabiting the character. "I really had to visualize and imagine what it was like to be Bruce and be a bit shy and nerdy. He was different from any other character I’ve played so far." Joining Roberts and Austin are three other young actors, who help them transform the abandoned hotel into a home for four-legged creatures. The characters of Dave and Heather, two local pet store employees, are played by Johnny Simmons ("Evan Almighty") and Kyla Pratt ("Fat Albert"). Four time Black Movie Award winner Don Cheadle (whose daughter is a big fan of Emma Roberts) was cast as Andi and Bruce's social worker Bernie. According to Freudenthal, Bernie "bridges the gap to the adult world. He is their anchor. He’s a disciplinarian, someone they take very seriously but also have a rapport with." Andi and Bruce's foster parents are played by EMMY Award winner Lisa Kudrow ("Friends") and three time Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Kevin Dillon ("Entourage"). Lois & Carl Scudder are both aging musicians desperately holding on to the dream of becoming rock stars. Unfortunately, they fail to recognize their complete lack of talent and ineptitude for creating music, with hilarious results. The other stars in "Hotel For Dogs" are the dogs, who were prepared for the complicated roles and stunts by one of Hollywood’s premier trainers, Mark Forbes ("Because of Winn-Dixie" & "Evan Almighty") of Birds and Animals Unlimited. Producer Jason Clark pretty much sums up my opinion of the finished product. "I’m sure it will make audiences laugh, but it will also engage them emotionally. I see the heart of this movie as the real connection between these two lonely kids and the animals. The movie is funny, exciting and has real heart, so I think it will work with audiences of all ages." The Verdict "Parents looking for an excuse to have a family day out with the kids will find Dreamworks Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies latest offering, "Hotel For Dogs", the ideal catalyst for a trip to their local multiplex. This multi-generational production ensures parents who accompany children to the cinema, won't be bored out of their brains or nodding off. The young cast, headed up by Oscar ® winning actress Julia Roberts niece Emma (who played the young Kristina Jung opposite Johnny Depp in "Blow") are a likeable lot with plenty of appeal. But, it's the numerous doggy stars who steal the show. Full credit must go to animal trainer Mark Forbes ("101 Dalmatians" & "Doctor Dolittle") whose work with the furry cast members should not go unnoticed. Doggone fun! Recommended. 3 1/2 STARS." Synopsis

Andi and her younger brother Bruce, live in a strictly no-pets household and are fast running out of ways to keep their perpetually hungry dog, Friday, under wraps. Until he gets taken off the street by Animal Control Officers who lock him up in the local animal pound. Released after Andi pays a fine, Friday accidentally leads them to an abandoned hotel that is already home to a couple of resourceful strays. Andi has an idea. She taps Bruce’s mechanical genius for turning everyday objects into mechanical marvels. With the help of their friends in the neighborhood, transform the run down hotel into a magical dog paradise: not only for Friday, but for every stray they can find. But when the barking dogs make the neighbors and the suddenly out of work local dog catchers suspicious, Andi and Bruce have to use every invention at their disposal to prevent them from finding out 'who let the dogs in'.

What Do The Critics Say?

"There are movies that work for children and there are movies that work for all ages, and while I, as a grownup, prefer the latter, I'll have to admit that the kids in my screening of Hotel for Dogs liked it just fine." Robert Davis PASTE MAGAZINE "It's all silly but remarkably fun and should wring smiles from even the grouchiest cat lover." Connie Ogle MIAMI HERALD "A sweet reminder of the importance of family and community, human and canine alike." Moira MacDonald SEATTLE TIMES "One comedy that will have you begging for more. A motley group of talented canines outperform the humans." Peter Hammond HOLLYWOOD.COM "Funny, sometimes moving and supremely imaginative, time will tell if this is the kids' classic that it certainly appears to be." Annette Basile FILMINK

"Canine charmers fill the screen in 'Hotel for Dogs,' but the heartwarming relationship between a brother and sister gives this movie its greatest appeal." Betty Jo Tucker REELTALK MOVIE REVIEWS "Hotel for Dogs reminds me: in a good way; of the Disney live-action classics of the '60s." Cathy Jakicic MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL "A fetching and funny family film with special appeal to dog lovers." Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat SPIRITUALITY AND PRACTICE "You won't be howling with laughter or at the moon or anything else, but the movie is surprisingly sweet." Gary Wolcott TRI-CITY HERALD "Cute and rambunctious and not a little old-fashioned: it's like an old Disney live-action comedy from the 1960s, but with better effects." Frank Swietek ONE GUY'S OPINION

Crew Bytes "HOTEL FOR DOGS" was .......
directed by Thor Freudenthal ["Mind the Gap" and "Monkey Business"]; from the book by Lois Duncan ["I Know What You Did Last Summer", "Don't Look Behind You" and "Held for Ransom"]; costume design by Beth Pasternak ["Masala", "Knockaround Guys" and "Where the Truth Lies"]; production design by William Sandell ["Deep Blue Sea", "The Perfect Storm" and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"]; edited by 1977 BAFTA Film Best Editing Award winner Sheldon Kahn ["One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Kindergarten Cap" and "Be Cool"]; director of photography Michael Grady ["Men Cry Bullets", "My First Name Spelled Backwards" and "Factory Girl"]; original music by Fourteen time ASCAP Award winner John Debney ["Liar Liar", "Cats & Dogs", "Chicken Little" and "Barnyard"]. Run Time 100 minutes Rated PG [AUST] ©2009 - Paramount Pictures - All Rights Reserved ©2009 All Rights Reserved The Movie Pages - Protected by Australian & International Copyright. Trademark laws applied.