Sure, many of us are being asked to stay indoors as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt everyday life, but with the Easter weekend upon us, and every excuse to stay indoors, why not curl up in front of the TV with a good movie?
Following on from this piece we wrote last year, here are two great dog movies to enjoy, and one very special Netflix docuseries.
Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010)
Featuring canines and their feline companions, Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore is a sequel to the 2001 original and stars James Marsden and Nick Nolte as Shepherd dogs who aid Christina Applegate’s Russian Blue in this spy caper.
The film pivots on the humorous idea that cats and dogs are far more intelligent than we realize, and in this world, actively maintain spy agencies to maintain world order.
Bette Midler plays the dangerous Kitty Galore, a Sphynx with who has gone rogue.
At the time of writing Cats & Dogs 2 is currently available on Netflix and can also be rented from the Amazon Prime store. Well worth a watch.
Hotel for Dogs (2009)
Based on the 1970s novel of the same name, Emma Roberts and Jake Austin star in this sweet pet-themed flick as the duo set up a hotel for stray dogs. As orphans themselves, with uncaring foster parents, Roberts and Austin know what it’s like to be unloved. What results is a story where the animals and children outwit the adults – a classic tried and tested conceit that propels the film through its 100-minute runtime.
Hotel for Dogs is currently available on the UK Netflix store but not the US version. However, it can be rented online for no more than a few dollars.
A great way to kill an evening indoors.
Dogs (2018)
This Netflix docuseries is a must-see for any animal lover. It follows six different stories around the globe of humans and their beloved dogs. One episode might focus on how a service dog is transforming the lives of its owners in the United States, while another follows a Labrador Retriever in stunning Lake Como help his fisherman owner make ends’ meet.
The stories are enlightening and often uplifting and underscore the way humans and dogs enjoy a very special bond indeed. Just shy of an hour an episode, there’s close to six hours of content to enjoy here, and at a time when we need it most, Dogs raises a smile and reminds us of the essential goodness in people and the animals that bring us joy.
