HOTEL FOR DOGS

While looking for a place to hide their dog Friday, two orphaned teenagers, Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin), stumble across an abandoned hotel. Thanks to Andi’s quick wit and Bruce’s inventive talents, this quickly becomes a secret ‘hotel’ for dogs and home to all the neighbourhood strays. There are some great fun elements to this family comedy ‘ like Bruce’s ‘Mouse Trap’ style contraptions, Lisa Kudrow’s painful band rehearsals, and of course the dogs. However, Hotel For Dogs never quite comes together, and parents will have real trouble explaining some big holes in the plot and action. This promising movie about orphans and belonging quickly spirals into a disappointing and all-too-simple ending. (Trish Roberts)