i wasnt disapointed by it but it wasnt the best the acting wasnt the best and, imean, come on, u cant just pick a dog off the street and expect it 2 be in perfect health.
Hotel for Dogs
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Young pet lovers will get a kick out of dog comedy.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Hotel for Dogs was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Parents need to know that this Nickelodeon-produced comedy about an orphaned brother and sister (played by tween faves Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin) who set up a secret refuge for stray dogs is targeted squarely at the family market. Because the main characters are orphans living in foster care, there are some references to dead parents, but it doesn't get too emotional. And with no swearing or consumerism and only mild flirting (though there are a couple of kisses), the movie is age-appropriate for grade-schoolers while still appealing to tweens.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about why so many movie kids are orphans. Do you feel more sympathy for kids who don't have parents? Do they seem like bigger heroes than other kids?
- Do movies like this ever make you anxious about your own family? Parents: Talk to your kids about any fears or worries they might have about being without you.
- Kids: Can you think of ways that your actions can make a positive change in your community?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Hotel for Dogs
What’s the Story?
Based on Lois Duncan's children's book series, HOTEL FOR DOGS follows orphaned siblings Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) who secretly care for their beloved dog Friday while they live with self-absorbed, dog-hating foster parents. After Friday runs into a condemned old building, Andi and Bruce discover two dogs already living in the once-grand hotel and decide the place would make a perfect safe haven for the city's strays. With Bruce's knack for expertly engineered contraptions and the help of three local teens, the young animal lovers christen their little sanctuary the Hotel for Dogs.
Is It Any Good?
If Marley and Me can be considered one of the most realistic -- and emotionally wrenching -- depictions of life with a dog, Hotel for Dogs is probably one of the least realistic (talking-canine flicks aside). Even if you go along with the concept that a boarded-up hotel would still be filled with furniture (even gym equipment!), it will be difficult for adults to believe that an 11-year-old could come up with all of Bruce's intricate inventions (a self-cleaning golden hydrant where the dogs can raise a leg, an automatic dog-bowl filler, a car-window ride simulator, etc.). That said, the kooky contraptions are probably the best part of the movie, and kids will get a kick out of the whole thing.
The movie's subplot is about whether the siblings will ever find a permanent home. When their bad-hair, rock-wannabe foster parents (played by Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon) find out about the kids' antics, Andi and Bruce are forced to go to group homes. Luckily for them, their social worker, Bernie (Don Cheadle), is determined to find them a sanctuary -- just like they're intent on saving the city's endangered dogs. Predictably enough, there's a warm-and-fuzzy ending. Be warned, though: Young kids may want to go straight from the movie theater to rescue a dog at the pound.
Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: Thor Freudenthal
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/16/2009, DVD release: 4/28/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/16/2009, DVD release: 4/28/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor
Our Members Say
See all 50 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
ok, but not the best
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Cute, but a bit boring...
My title says it all. I mean, it's not like I hated the movie. But, I've seen wayyyy better dog movies then this. There was good messages in it though. The acting was pretty bad. If you like cute, short dog movies watch this. Otherwise, don't.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Another Animal Flick.
This movie is funny,cut,and entrtaining,it might inspire kids to save an animal.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Awesome movie
I've only seen it once but I think it's good and bad.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
cute movie
I loved hotel for dogs it was a great family movie and it was also a great animal movie it was humorous and fun it was a cute movie
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good for Everyone
The movie is good because it really gives a good message of how sibblings take care of each other. Though quite slow but maintains its flow throught.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
BAD
dont see it
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
i just want to whach it okay
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Pretty Predictable Kids/Animals Flick
While there isn't anything particularly troubling about this film I didn't find it very engaging and it seemed to drag on a bit. (How many dog-related inventions can really be entertaining?) The children are living in/running from an unsavory foster home after losing their parents. There is also a scene right at the beginning in which the kids are running a scam/stealing and running from the authorities. Entertaining for the kids but just tolerable for even the most animal-loving adults.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Pretty good movie. [:
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Me and the kids were very excited to see Hotel for Dogs and we loved seeing all the different breeds of dogs but the kids got bored out a little towards the end.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
funny kids movie
good for the little ones
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
It's cute. It's not my ideal movie considering I'm 11 yrs old but it's entertaining and leaves you smiling. Parents should know that there really isn't anything inappropriate except for some crude humor, like dogs pooping and stepping in poo and pee.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Better than the book, but there are better dog films.
This dog film is okay and funny at times, but it just kinda falls flat.
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Lives in Oklahoma -
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Read these reviews and make your call
I will defer to the opinions of those who feel children from troubled backgrounds would find this disturbing. But my daughter and I found it charming (my word) and funny (hers). She was not bothered by the kids' ambiguous life situation and loved their creativity and commitment. I enjoyed being reminded of the Disney movies of my childhood. I did have to answer questions about why the police "don't understand" that they are trying to help. All in all, we enjoyed it!
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Lives in California -
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
great!
i loved it except that there were two parts that were sad. one was when they got seperated by foster care. and when the dog appears to be put asleep. that killed me
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
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