Daily Reel - Darling Companion (2012)

Canine star of Darling Companion, Kasey, a Collie/German Shepherd mix, was found by the Las Vages Humane Society tied to a tree and abandoned with a rope embedded in his neck. Years later, Kasey is a minor celebrity after Darling Companion, with Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline, and the hard work of trainers Sarah Cole and Guin Dill.

Kasey plays Freeway here, but his film career started long before with scenes in Santa Buddies (2009) and The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), as well as a costarring role in Monster Mutt (2011), and numerous TV and advertising appearances. Dyed to match him, another canine TV star, Kuma, doubles as Freeway in scenes like the deer chasing.

Produced by Werc Werk Works, Kasdan Pictures, Likely Story

Daily Reel - Hotel for Dogs (2009)

Modern CGI merges with magical sets and wonderfully trained canine performers to make Hotel for Dogs an enjoyable experience for families and dog lovers.

Loosely based on the children’s book by Lois Duncan, the story follows a brother and sister as they struggle to keep their dog safe and hidden from their foster parents. With their own home and future uncertain, Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake Austin) find refuge for Friday, their Parson Russell Terrier, in an old, abandoned hotel. They discover their troubles have only begun when they start uncovering more dogs in need of shelter and food. And more. And a few more.

Hotel for Dogs was released with a marketing campaign partly sponsored by Pedigree (dog food) and their Pedigree Adoption Drive. (There is a great deal of Pedigree product placement.) The film juxtapositions homeless dogs with homeless children and brings attention to considering adopting either with themes of family, commitment, and taking responsibility.

A whimsical and entertaining movie with tragic undertones and a diverse canine cast from Birds and Animals Unlimited, Hotel for Dogs will be most enjoyable to those who can suspend disbelief enough to embrace the idea that a few children can build fantastic machines and take care of dozens of hidden dogs by themselves.

Produced by DreamWorks, Nickelodeon Movies