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.

This heartwarming tale reinforces the importance of family and the idea that families can come in many shapes and sizes. Although the idea itself is pretty improbable, it’s still loads of fun to see the gadgets and gizmos that Bruce creates to keep the dogs fed, in shape, and content. Roberts and Austin are believable as brother and sister, and Kudrow and Dillon are amusing as washed-up '80s rockers. Don Cheadle also appears as the compassionate social worker assigned to Andi and Bruce’s case.

Blu-ray Disc Features:

Region [unknown]
NTSC
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.0 - English, French, Spanish
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, French, Spanish
Dolby True HD 5.1 - English, French, Spanish
Subtitles - English, French, Portuguese
Additional Release Material:
Featurette:
1. A Home For Everyone: The Making Of Hotel For Dogs
2. That’s The Coolest Thing I’ve Ever Seen!
3. K-9 Casting
4. Bark On Cue!
5. The Pedigree® Adoption Drive
Audio Commentary:
1. Thor Freudenthal, Ewan "Jack" Leslie, Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin
Text/Photo Galleries:
Photo Galleries:
1. Photo Gallery

Emma Roberts: Actress in SPYMATE
Jake T. Austin: Actor, YANKEE IRVING (2006)
Kyla Pratt: 
Lisa Kudrow: American TV/Film Actress
Kevin Dillon: American Actor, ENTOURAGE
Don Cheadle: Actor

Thor Freudenthal: Director

Lauren Shuler Donner: Producer
Jonathan Gordon: Producer
Ewan Leslie: SHE'S THE MAN (2006)
Jason Clark: Executive Producer

Jeff Lowell: Screenwriter, JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE (2006)

John Debney: Composer/"Hocus Pocus"

"Think of HOTEL FOR DOGS as a sort of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE with canines....What it is packed with is lots of sneaking around, very cool gadgets, excellent stunts and some clever kids..."
"[HOTEL FOR DOGS] features a cast of so many endearing dogs that there's a purebred or adorable mutt of everyone's tastes."
"Based on Lois Duncan's wonderful children's book, the film mixes laughs, heart and action while also throwing in a nice message about the importance of a family unit."
"HOTEL FOR DOGS is a fantasy and looks like one....Ultimately warm and furry..."
"This comedy, starring perfectly pleasant up-and-comer Emma Roberts is about kids, not parents....The movie could do something really positive for the cause of homeless pets..."
"The dogs in HOTEL FOR DOGS perform breathtaking stunts, touching love scenes, heart-breaking soliloquies with their eyes and clever, clever tricks."