dog days movie review

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Do you sometimes share your human food with your dog out of the same container? Are you likely to trust dog lovers blindly on sheer principle? Have you ever sat across from a dog therapist, and found yourself talking about your own life problems instead? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions (or, to all three, like I did), then you will adore the sweet, Los Angeles-set ensemble comedy “ Dog Days ”; a family-wide rom-com as eager to please as its loveable canine stars with big personalities. Even if you didn’t have an affirmative response to any of the above, rest assured that director Ken Marino ’s contemporary tale of intertwined lives will still disarm you eventually with its unabashed cheeriness and generous spirit. 

In the cinematic tradition of “everyone’s connected” yarns like “ Crazy, Stupid, Love ” and “He’s Just Not That Into You” (except, as inoffensive as they come), with a little “Best in Show” thrown in for good measure, “Dog Days” follows a crowded group of interrelated LA dwellers, whose lives are touched and made complete by dogs in various heartwarming ways over one heated summer. For the successful newscaster Elizabeth ( Nina Dobrev , sufficiently neurotic), her expressive mutt Sam serves as a reflection of her own thorny feelings on the heels of an ugly romantic breakup. When she opens up to the poker-faced and hilariously overpriced dog therapist Danielle ( Tig Notaro ) about Sam’s abandonment fears, it’s easy to spot at once that she is talking about herself while leaning on her loyal best friend to get through a difficult time. Both Elizabeth’s and Sam’s luck turns when they meet-cute with the former NFL star Jimmy Johnston (a charismatic Tone Bell ) and his adorably energetic pit bull mix Brandy. Things get even more complicated when Elizabeth and Jimmy are paired as co-anchors due to their bouncy love/hate chemistry.

Equally dependent on a four-legged life partner is the melancholic Walter (Ron Cephas Jones), an aging widower with an overweight pug named Mabel, who connects Walter to happy memories of his deceased wife. When Mabel goes missing, the notorious loner reluctantly teams up with his neighborhood’s well-meaning pizza delivery boy Tyler ( Finn Wolfhard ) to locate his missing friend. While the two bond over a shared purpose with a cross-generational friendship akin to Carl Fredricksen and Russell from Pixar’s “ Up ,” Mabel lands with Grace and Kurt ( Eva Longoria and Rob Corddry ), and their observant adopted child Amelia (newcomer Elizabeth Phoenix Caro)—in no time at all, Mabel brings them closer as a family. Meanwhile Tara ( Vanessa Hudgens , delightful), a cheery barista with big dreams, takes care of the stray Chihuahua Gertrude and helps the sweetly love-struck, socially awkward dog rescuer Garrett ( Jon Bass ) save his struggling dog adoption business New Tricks. Tara’s non-dog-friendly building is also a home to the unkempt man-child Dax ( Adam Pally ), who secretly takes in his pregnant sister Ruth’s troublemaker labradoodle Charlie to lend her a helping hand.

Co-written by Elissa Matsueda and Erica Oyama , “Dog Days” quickly proves its unusually sensitive understanding of selfless dogs and the messy humans who take care of them. Contrary to Hollywood’s age-old tendency to use dogs as cute items of comic relief, “Dog Days” allows its canine population the freedom to be realistic dogs that are respected by their human counterparts—they play, jump, run, sulk and even get into trouble like our pets sometimes do, without ever becoming lazy, throwaway plotlines. Despite a crowded field of players, Matsueda and Oyama fully close the circle on the stories of each of the film’s canines and humans, spreading kindness and hope as effectively as a dog’s shake-off and tail wag.

Admirably, the writing duo don’t shy away from the sad parts of pet parenting and treat the much feared but inevitable departure of our furry pals with the dignity it deserves. The script’s jokey dialogue tends to get a bit stiff at times and Marino’s direction isn’t exactly inspired—an overdone, over-lit visual artificiality stifles “Dog Days.” Yet, anyone who’s ever felt altered by an animal companion will easily find something to love in this shamelessly happy, defiantly nice film that celebrates amity among families, neighbors, generations and even different species. The best part? No other summer flick this year will include a scene with a stoned dog, cutely watching the ever-trippy “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.” That’s a guarantee.

Tomris Laffly

Tomris Laffly is a freelance film writer and critic based in New York. A member of the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), she regularly contributes to  RogerEbert.com , Variety and Time Out New York, with bylines in Filmmaker Magazine, Film Journal International, Vulture, The Playlist and The Wrap, among other outlets.

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Film credits.

Dog Days (2018)

Rated PG for rude and suggestive content, and for language.

112 minutes

Eva Longoria as Grace

Nina Dobrev as Elizabeth

Finn Wolfhard as Tyler

Vanessa Hudgens as Tara

Thomas Lennon as Greg

Adam Pally as Dax

Jon Bass as Garrett

Lauren Lapkus as Daisy

Tony Cavalero as Stanley

Tone Bell as Jimmy

Casey Deidrick as Jude

Writer (story by)

• Elissa Matsueda
• Erica Oyama

Cinematographer

• Frank Barrera
• Brian Scofield
• Matt Novack
• Craig Wedren

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Review: In ‘Dog Days,’ Finding Each Other Through Canine Fandom

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By Glenn Kenny

• Aug. 9, 2018

The comedy director Garry Marshall died in 2016 , but his spirit, or a portion thereof, lives on in “Dog Days.” In the final years of Marshall’s career he made several ensemble-cast romantic comedies, each centered on an ostensibly beloved holiday. This very similar ensemble-cast romantic comedy has its characters gathering around their love of dogs, rather than the calendar.

But who doesn’t love dogs? One character isn’t crazy to have a canine in his life. That’s Dax (Adam Pally), a feckless musician compelled by his pregnant sister (Jessica St. Clair) to dog-sit her mutt, Charlie, which proves to be a challenge since his apartment building doesn’t allow dogs. Living in the same building is Tara (Vanessa Hudgens), a barista who loves pups by proxy, volunteering at an adoption service. Garrett (Jon Bass), the nerdy owner of that service, adores Tara, but the object of his affection has her eye on a hunky vet (Michael Cassidy).

You get the idea. Now multiply storylines by about four, add some barks, and sit. Then keep sitting. This is a movie in which a couple find love, and one of them is terrified that “the other shoe will drop.” At this point there’s a whole hour left in the movie. The shoe will drop but will not be fetched.

The cast is pleasant and attractive. And the director Ken Marino, whose career breakout was in the comedy troupe the State, drops in some funny absurdist touches, including a droll turn from Tig Notaro as a pet therapist and Phoebe Neidhardt as an oversharing TV weatherperson. But on the whole, this picture, which could just as well be titled “Dog, Actually,” is sweeter-than-average treacle.

Rated PG, most likely for a dog who inadvertently eats a pot brownie. Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes.

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Film Review: ‘Dog Days’

A bevy of cute canines provide innocuous distraction from the predictable private lives of a dozen or so humans in this lightweight romantic comedy.

By Peter Debruge

Peter Debruge

Chief Film Critic

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The poster for “ Dog Days ” amputates its human characters just above the waist, focusing our attention instead on the collection of adorable canines assembled at their feet: a pug in a pizza box, a giant Labradoodle with a shoe in its mouth, a Chihuahua wearing a pink vest and helmet, and so on. “Forget the people. See this movie for its four-legged characters,” the campaign might as well be saying, and yet, the dogs in “Dog Days” serve as little more than man’s best plot devices, conveniently heart-swelling critters designed to spark interactions between their otherwise bland owners and friends in this ingratiating ensemble comedy.

Then again, what else would you expect from a movie called “Dog Days” that falls squarely in the dump month of August, amid those summer doldrums when temperatures rise and the quality of megaplex offerings dips? It’s as if the folks who packaged this low-concept crowd-pleaser targeted this time of year knowing that people expect the movies to be bad, setting out to leave them pleasantly surprised rather than reaching for greatness and falling short, as so many others do.

Set in Los Angeles, this overstuffed, sitcom-style group effort resembles those holiday-themed laffers Garry Marshall churned out over the final decade of his career, dogs like “Mother’s Day” and “New Year’s Eve” in which a bunch of beautiful but otherwise unremarkable characters try to sort out their relationship problems over the span of a long two hours. Like Marshall, actor-turned-helmer Ken Marino (“How to Be a Latin Lover”) hails from the world of television, and his single-camera directorial style favors quippy interactions on overlit soundstages, where it feels as if he’s serving up the funniest of half a dozen possible jokes the cast ad-libbed in each situation (the end credits are full of the runners-up that didn’t make the cut, including several “Shih Tzu” puns parents will be none too pleased to hear their kids repeating around the house).

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United by the fact that they all see the same vet, the main characters include a heartbroken morning-show host named Elizabeth ( Nina Dobrev , who appears to be channeling every cute look actress Emily Mortimer ever gave on camera); barista Tara (“High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens ), who’s so smitten with Dr. Mike (Michael Cassidy) that she ignores over-eager coffee-shop regular Garrett (Jon Bass); and irresponsible garage-band frontman Dax (Adam Pally), whose very pregnant sister (Jessica St. Clair) forces him to dog-sit while she goes into labor. The characters’ animal companions factor in, although their primary role is to supply an obligatory whimper or sad-eyed cutaway whenever a gentle “aww” is needed from the audience.

Elissa Matsueda and Erica Oyama’s script also provides a few kids for younger viewers to latch on to, including 16-year-old pizza delivery boy Tyler (Finn Wolfhard of “Stranger Things”), who helps a widowed English professor (Ron Cephas Jones of “This Is Us”) look for his lost pug, and Amelia (newcomer Elizabeth Phoenix Caro), the recently adopted daughter of Rob Corddry and Eva Longoria’s characters, who happens to find the stray dog. Nearly all the remaining roles go to comedians (such as Tig Notaro and Lauren Lapkus), which helps to keep viewers laughing, even as nothing particularly original is happening in the main storylines (someone to watch: Phoebe Neidhardt as a meteorologist with a tendency to over-share on air).

At one point, Tara grouses that she’s not doing anything meaningful with her life, and Garrett points out that she brightens people’s mornings. “Dog Days” may not be grand, change-the-world filmmaking, but it is funny and kinda sweet in spots. There are certainly worse ways to enjoy the air conditioning than watching a handful of chipper comedians throw a fundraiser to save an animal shelter — an event that conveniently ties together half a dozen plot strands engaging with everything from dating and adoption to childbirth and coping with the death of a spouse. Alas, the behaviors on display have virtually nothing to do with real life, limiting the experience to little more than empty escapism for the dog lover in all of us.

Reviewed at AMC Century City, Los Angeles, Aug. 6, 2018. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 113 MIN.

• Production: An LD Entertainment release and presentation of a Liddell Entertainment production. Producers: Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Jennifer Monroe. Executive producers: Alison Semenza King, Nicole Stojkovich, Scott Holroyd, Michael Glassman.
• Crew: Director: Ken Marino. Screenplay: Elissa Matsueda, Erica Oyama; story: Matsueda. Camera (color): Frank Barrera. Editor: F. Brian Scofield. Music: Craig Wedren.
• With: Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens, Adam Pally , Eva Longoria, Rob Corddry, Tone Bell, Jon Bass, Michael Cassidy, Thomas Lennon, Tig Notaro, Finn Wolfhard, Ron Cephas Jones.

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Dog Days Reviews

The film celebrates respect, forgiveness, responsibility and generosity.

Full Review | Aug 12, 2021

You will not be bow-wowed by Dog Days. Instead you may wonder, not who, but why let the dogs out?

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Mar 4, 2021

"Dog Days" could have been hopeless treacle, like so many of those other "Love, Actually" imitators. This one manages to make you laugh quite a bit, cry a little, and feel warm fuzzies throughout.

Full Review | Oct 18, 2019

Dog Days is a super emotional journey that is both hilarious and heartwarming - and ok, heartbreaking too. Perfect for any Dog lover!

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 30, 2019

Dog Days proved to be a pleasant surprise.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Feb 26, 2019

Dog Days is a perfectly fine, inoffensive little movie; it's fun, but you'll have trouble really engaging with the characters on any significant level.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 6, 2019

With a title like 'Dog Days', it is clear that you're not going to be watching Citizen Kane. Really, the film does what it says on the tin-there are a lot of cute dogs, some cheesy dialogue, and sweet relationships.

Full Review | Jan 14, 2019

A feel good piece of cinematic fluff for those who know the everyday joy of spending their lives with a companion animal that's as pleasant as it is forgettable.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 22, 2018

In other words, if not for the dogs, this would be a gentle boring profile of the mostly young, fit, and pretty living upper middle-class existences in Los Angeles.

Full Review | Nov 27, 2018

The gentle and kind-hearted message that this family feature offers viewers is something that we could all use in our lives

Full Review | Original Score: 3.0/4 | Nov 25, 2018

If you're looking for canine thrills, look elsewhere, as this film should be left firmly in the doghouse.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Nov 12, 2018

Dog Days offers a good balance of humor, seriousness and canine charm. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 30, 2018

And although the outcome is about to exceed the barrier of the tear, (almost) always arrives in time a reply, a wink or a joke that moves away from the cliff of the cloying and brings it to a certain dignity. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Sep 7, 2018

From the title, poster or trailer I Love Dogs offers exactly what it promises... connected stories that are solved all together in a grand finale. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 4, 2018

Fortunately, the rest of the film does manage to honestly capture the interactions of the rest of the characters with the dogs that change their lives. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Aug 30, 2018

Despite the reliably compelling mutts, it's the humans who go astray. There is little chemistry between the prospective couples.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.25/5 | Aug 27, 2018

Despite a charming, star-studded cast and heartfelt moments, "Dog Days" barks up the wrong tree by being in a theater for its infinite amount of cliched romance tropes.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 24, 2018

A sweet, easy-to-enjoy movie with romance, humor, and some of the cutest pups around.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 23, 2018

Dog Days is a really tough film to watch.

Full Review | Original Score: 0.5/5 | Aug 21, 2018

At nearly two hours it's incredibly long for such a lightweight offering but does have an attractive cast, a deeply sentimental streak and a certain furry charm.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 14, 2018

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‘dog days’: film review.

American filmmaker Jordan Schiele makes his Chinese debut, which stars emerging actors Huang Lu and Luo Lanshan.

By Elizabeth Kerr

Elizabeth Kerr

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Hinting at its sultry title in each frame, Brooklyn-born and Tisch (Asia)-educated writer-director Jordan Schiele takes on some thorny subject matter in his sweaty debut feature, Dog Days . A cinematographer by training, the Beijing-based Schiele turns an objective, outsider’s eye on some of rapidly developing China’s most pressing issues — among them the impact of its one-child policy, child trafficking and the disparity between the affluent cities on the East Coast and the less privileged interior. Carefully composed and directed with an assured hand, Dog Days is allegedly based on true events. That’s not hard to believe with the trafficking stories so widely circulated in the media. Given the subject matter and the relentless focus on China’s underclasses , release on the mainland may be unlikely aside from its screenings at the Beijing International Film Festival. Following its bow at Berlin’s Panorama earlier this year, other festivals should continue to follow suit, however, and an art-house release in Asia-Pacific and key urban markets overseas is entirely within reason.

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Schiele has hung a social drama on the framework of what is essentially a crime thriller, albeit a low-key one. The story opens on a hot, oppressive night in a poor corner of Changsa , in southern Hunan Province, with second-rate nightclub dancer Lulu (Huang Lu) finishing her shift and heading home to her son. A single mother, she leaves the infant with the child’s father, Bai Long (Chen Tian Mu), while she’s at work, and on this night he and the baby are gone when she returns. Ignoring the casual sexism and judgment of her parenting skills she encounters during her search through the city’s backstreets , Lulu winds up confronting Bai’s gay drag queen lover, Sunny ( Luo Lanshan ), who agrees to help her track Bai down. In return, he asks Lulu to leave the couple in peace. Off the unlikely partners head to Shanghai, where Lulu is horrified — and later conflicted — to find out Bai has sold the baby to a wealthy, childless older couple, the Zhous ( Xing Dan Wen and Lu Ze Xian ), claiming his mother was dead.

The Bottom Line An affecting Euro look at marginalized China.

Produced by Hong Kong indie darling Pang Ho-cheung’s ( Love in a Puff , Aberdeen ) Making Film, Dog Days has a distinct indie tone to it, one that serves the topical material well. Grim and nearly colorless for the most part, Schiele has piled a lot on his thematic plate and it’s up to Huang to differentiate them. Her strong central performance carries the film to its modest heights, bouncing wildly and vividly between rage, despair and relief, but never overstating her emotions. Schiele and Huang allow Lulu moments of self-awareness (she knows her job is less than ideal, even if it pays the bills) and the freedom to be tempted to leave her son with the rich couple, regardless of the sorrow etched on her face. Up to that point Lulu was single-minded in wanting her child back and obviously crushed he was gone, but when faced with a choice that could impact his whole life, she wavers. It’s heartbreaking. Dog Days keeps things spare; actions are never grandiose and Patrick Jonsson ‘s score is equally sparse.

If Dog Days has a flaw, it’s that Schiele’s language and images tend toward the pedestrian at times: d.p. Nathanael Carton bathes Huang, and frequently Luo , in literal and symbolic shadows for most of the film. It doesn’t really detract from his points about the anonymity of China’s marginalized single mothers, poor and the LGBT community, and a generation that’s been raised in a sort of social isolation. Luo’s Sunny isn’t written in as many layers as Lulu ( Bai , on the other hand has one note, which is greedy scuzzball ) but he does manage to inform the fragile young man with a streak of compassion, and a sense of self-protection rather than selfishness. Ironically, given the overall bleakness of the story, Dog Days ends on a bright, vaguely hopeful note that both Lulu and Sunny are going to find that better life they’re seeking.

Production company: Making Film Production Cast: Huang Lu, Chen Tian Mu, Luo Lanshan , Xing Dan Wen, Lu Ze Xian , Zhou Lan , Xia Qi Director-screenwriter: Jordan Schiele Producer: Pang Ho-Cheung , Subi Liang Executive producer: Leung Sum Director of photography: Nathanael Carton Production designer: Ying Hai Tao Costume designer: Lin Li Ying Editor: Kong Jing Lei Music: Patrick Jonsson Casting: Liu Wan Xiu World sales: Bravos Pictures

In Putonghua , Changsha dialect

Not rated, 93 minutes

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Dog Days (I) (2018)

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Dog days (2018) - movie review.

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With a paper thin plot, erratic tone, and humor that rarely elicits so much as a slight chuckle, Dog Days , the latest from TV funnyman Ken Marino , is a film that should not work. But it does. Thanks to the furry faces, sloppy tongues, and wagging tails of its canine stars, Dog Days is a “bone-a-fide” crowd-pleaser certain to entertain the masses, six to sixty. It is a film by dog lovers, about dog lovers, and for dog lovers. All others need not bother. You just won’t get it.{googleads}

Written by Erica Oyam and Elissa Matsueda , the story follows the intersecting lives of several Los Angeles families and their dogs. As each of the five threads plays out and the paths of everyone cross at one point or another, each character grows and matures with the help and companionship of their shaggy counterparts. Though this technique of interwoven character arcs is certainly nothing unique as many films have done it better, it is all leading up to an extraordinary event that has the entire town rallying around a local animal shelter fundraiser. Certainly the perfect device for the film’s climax, and an even better platform to raise awareness of the plight of animal adoption centers nationwide.

The film’s primary focus is on morning news show anchor Elizabeth ( Nina Dobrev ) and ex-NFL-football player Jimmy ( Tone Bell ). Their dogs get along great. But them? Not so much. But we all know that dogs have that special ability to soften hearts, so… you guessed it, the two fall in love.

Then there is local coffee shop barista Tara ( Vanessa Hudgens ) who, after volunteering at a nearby rescue shelter finds herself torn between the desires of the nerdy shelter owner Garett ( Jon Bass ), and hot veterinarian Dr. Mike ( Michael Cassidy ). This thread introduces us to the film’s most recognizable pooch that is featured so prominently in the film marketing and trailers - Gertrude the pink helmet-wearing chihuahua. Whenever the humans falter, cut to Gertrude. She gets us every time.

When out-of-work musician Dax ( Adam Pally ) is asked to take care of his pregnant sister’s ( Jessica St. Clair ) labradoodle named Charlie, the heartless slacker softens and learns a bit of responsibility along the way.

The film’s beating heart resides in the stories of recent widower Walter ( Ron Cephus Jones ), whose furry friend has gone missing, and the teenage boy ( Finn Wolfhard ) who volunteers to help find her. When Walter’s dog is eventually picked up by frazzled adoptive parents Grace ( Eva Longoria ) and Kurt ( Rob Corddry ) – whose newly adopted daughter is struggling to adapt to her new environment, it is, of course, the pesky pug that allows the couple to eventually bond with their daughter.

Though Marino keeps things moving along briskly, at roughly two hours, his film is a bit long for a light-hearted rom-com with puppies on its brain. It might have made sense to knock off one of the five storylines to trim the thing down to a svelte 90 minutes. Marino isn’t stupid, however. He knows that whenever things begin to drag, point the camera at the dogs. It works every time.

As the film wraps up in a heartwarming, off-the-leash finale that features moonlight, fireworks, refreshments, a band, and everyone connecting around a worthy cause, only the most crusty of old curmudgeons will deny the emotions. Yes, it is way too simplistic, overly formulaic, and content to rest its laurels on resolutions we see coming from a mile away. But it is also pleasant, non-offensive, undeniably charming, and the doggone perfect love letter to our four-legged friends.

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MPAA Rating: PG for rude and suggestive content, and for language. Runtime: 112 mins Director : Ken Marino Writer: Elissa Matsueda, Erica Oyama Cast: Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens, Finn Wolfhard Genre : Comedy | Romance Tagline: Dog Days follows a group of interconnected people in Los Angeles who are brought together by their lovable canine counterparts. Memorable Movie Quote: "What is it about dogs that brings us so much joy?" Theatrical Distributor: LD Entertainment Official Site: www.dogdaysthefilm.com/ Release Date: August 10, 2018 DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: No details available. Synopsis : Dog Days follows a group of interconnected people in Los Angeles who are brought together by their lovable canine counterparts.

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‘Dog Days’ Is Ken Marino’s Weirdly Chaste Attempt To Make ‘Dog Actually’

Adam Pally’s character in Dog Day s leads a bar band called Frunk, who seem to specialize in bluesy, slowed down covers of novelty schlock songs, like “The Right Stuff,” “I’m Too Sexy,” and “Who Let The Dogs Out” (natch). This turns out to be a useful metaphor for the movie as a whole, which plays out exactly like a glacially-paced, bar band version of throwaway rom-com schmaltz.

Look, not every movie is for every person. Dog Days is clearly not for me, and that’s fine. Not that I didn’t go in with high hopes. It was directed by Ken Marino and is ostensibly about dogs, which at first glance did seem like it’d be right up my alley . Very quickly it becomes clear, however, that Dog Days is not the kind of goofy improvisational-ish comedy Ken Marino excelled at on Party Down and The State . It feels almost like Marino made Dog Days as a present for someone, someone either very young or very old. Maybe it was a failed exercise in family friendliness? Whatever the case, it’s so scrubbed of anything non-wholesome that it barely exists at all.

The idea seems to have been to do a sort of “Dog Actually,” a series of sweet interconnected vignettes with a dog theme. That actually sounds like a fine pitch (my i ntense hatred of Love Actually has little to do with the format, and is largely assuaged by the promise of dogs), only it feels written and directed for people who have never seen a movie before. The characters are stock. The storylines are stock. The sets are stock, and the resulting aesthetic is a little like a Christian country concert. Even the dogs eventually wear out their welcome.

You can predict how each storyline will play out within the first 10 minutes, and every creative decision is exactly as on the nose as the fact that someone plays “who let the dogs out” during the climax of a dog movie. Every actor is perfectly styled and scrubbed and coiffed like they just stepped out of the makeup trailer for a retirement fund ad and every set is tastefully appointed in neutral inoffensive colors like my off-white Crate and Barrel nightmare. Which Marino and his cinematographer Frank Barrera then shoot in evenly lit, claustrophobic closeups that make you think every character is about to thank Proactive. They do have very nice skin.

Those with perfectly styled hair and uncanny valley white teeth include: Rob Corddry and Eva Longoria, playing the recently adoptive parents of a very standoffish little girl (intentionally AND because she’s an inexperienced actress); Nina Dobrev, playing a morning show host whose dainty head is 93% covered with shiny bangs, and who’s been stuck with an ex-NFL player co-host (Tone Bell); Thomas Lennon and Jessica St. Clair, as the harried parents of newborn twins, and her van-driving “slacker” brother played by Adam Pally; Vanessa Hudgens, as a barista with a crush on a hot rich veterinarian (yeah okay sure whatever), but who is in turn being crushed after by her dorky customer played by Jon Bass; and Ron Cephas Jones, as a widower and fat pug owner who befriends his teenage pizza boy (Finn Wolfhard). Even the supposedly poor characters live in massive apartments and wear clothes that look like they just came off the rack at Nordstrom.

Already this is a lot of words for this movie. Suffice it to say it’s exactly like the first five minutes, only longer. There are occasional laughs, and intermittent clues that a lot of the people making this are actually really funny – notably in some brief scenes starring Tig Notaro as a dour dog psychologist – but it feels like Marino is directing this through a hole in a sheet. It’s not un funny or anti -funny, just timid. There are lots of almost jokes and sweet situations but it’s almost as if full laughs have been deemed sinful. So often, the most painfully obvious line will come to mind and you’ll still have to wait another five minutes for the character to say exactly that .

It all felt to me like a sad echo three levels removed from anything resembling reality or human feelings. Though it must be said, the mothers of young children sitting two seats to my left and in front of me seemed to be having a blast, laughing and crying and awwwing at all the appropriate times. Like I said, it’s not for me, but it did seem to be for someone — exhausted moms with broods of filthy rascals who just want to watch nice adults be clean for 90 minutes, I’m guessing.

I’m not a monster. I too enjoyed the chihuahua in the pink helmet. She got gratuitous reaction shots but they all played. It’s just a shame you can’t build an entire movie out of 2700 consecutive shots of a chihuahua in a pink helmet.

Vince Mancini is on Twitter . More reviews here .

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Dog Days Movie Review

August 7, 2018 By Ashley 10 Comments

I recently attended the premiere for LD Entertainment's newest film, Dog Days. I wasn't sure 100% what to expect from the film. After watching the trailer, I thought okay, this is going to have some laughs, some awe moments (just look at those dogs), and maybe I might tear up a bit. Woah, was I wrong. Dog Days exceeded my expectations in every way. It wasn't just a little funny, it was hilarious. I was right about the awe moments, there are a lot. And not only did I laugh but I ugly cried too. 

Thank you LD Entertainment for providing travel and accommodations for the Dog Days premiere. All opinions are my own.

Dog Days follows the lives of multiple dog owners and their adorable four legged friends around Los Angeles. When these humans and canine's paths start to cross, their lives are changed in ways none of them expected.

Elizabeth finds herself suddenly single and dealing with a new co-host on her morning show. She begins to have real feelings for Jimmy that are both exciting and scary. Tara is a barista who dreams of doing more when a cute little stray wanders into her life. Garrett, the owner of New Tricks Dog Rescue, although socially awkward, has a big heart when it comes to people and animals.

Dax is a wannabe musician and all around slacker who is left in charge of his sister's dog while she adjusts to being a new mom of twins. Grace and Kurt have wanted a child for so long and finally are blessed with the adoption of Amelia, but adjusting to life in a new home can be difficult. Their lives intertwine with Walter and Tyler, when Walter's dog finds her way into their home. 

Dog Days is full of love, laughs, heartfelt moments, and yes, super cute dogs! Ken Marino and the cast set out to make us feel something and they accomplished that times 10. 

We all know the dogs are adorable and clearly the stars of the show, but the humans did a good job too. Your favorite fandoms are colliding when Vanessa Hudgens, Nina Dobrev, Finn Wolfhard, and Ron Cephas Jones share the screen. I'm looking at you High School Musical, Vampire Diaries, Stranger Things, and This Is Us fans. Actually at one point in the movie, one of the big tissue moments, it felt like an episode of This Is Us. 

Don't forget the tissues. 

Like I said before, I expected a few tears, it is an animal movie after all. But I wasn't expecting the ugly crying. There were a few deeply emotional moments. If you've ever owned a pet, struggled with loss, or yearned for a family the feels are going to get you. Trust me. 

I also laughed a lot, producing tears of a different sort. To summarize: bring tissues.

Is Dog Days kid friendly?

It was important to Ken Marino that this film was one for the family. But is Dog Days kid friendly? Yes! It is a feel-good movie that the whole family will enjoy. For a complete family guide, I encourage you to read my friend Tania's post: Is Dog Days Film Kid Friendly?  

Dog Days opens in theaters everywhere August 8th. I hope you will go see it with your kids. The trailers do not do this movie justice. So if you are on the fence, it's time to hop off and pick up your tickets. You won't regret it.

“Dogs open their hearts to us. To love and be loved.”

For more Dog Days fun connect with them on Facebook | Twitter #DogDays | Instagram

It's a date! Dog Days is in theaters everywhere August 8th!

Reader Interactions

August 7, 2018 at 7:02 pm

I bet this is going to be a fun movie! I am totally a Finn fan and would love to watch this!

August 7, 2018 at 8:08 pm

I am a huge dog lover, so I can’t wait to see this movie. It has everything I love. Dogs. LOL

August 7, 2018 at 8:13 pm

This story sounds incredibly sweet. I may have to see it with the boyfriend! It has a great cast.

August 7, 2018 at 8:19 pm

How cute! My sister is a huge dog lover and watches everything “dog” related. She will absolutely LOVE this! Thanks for sharing the trailer, too!

August 7, 2018 at 8:39 pm

This movie looks good. I can’t wait to see it. I love the preview.

August 7, 2018 at 10:14 pm

Dog movies are something that I can definitely get the whole family to sit and watch. I am glad there will be another one out!

August 7, 2018 at 10:33 pm

This looks like such a cute movie! I’m definitely taking my kids. I know they’ll love it!

August 8, 2018 at 6:26 am

Oh, I need to see this! Sounds like a great movie to see with the family!

August 8, 2018 at 9:10 am

I recently heard about this movie. It sounds like something my family would love to see. I’m glad to know it’s kid-friendly.

September 3, 2018 at 11:23 am

I really want to see this movie! I am a huge animal lover. Our family has rescued so many animals over the years that I have lost count, but I can tell you one thing… each and every one of them have made me a better person!

Imagine how the world would be if humans could/ would love so unconditionally as dogs do!

Thanks for the great post! Gotta go hug my dog now!

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Dog Days review – cringey canine comedy is a real dog's dinner

This deeply naff dogcom, with Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, is a pile of sugary sentimentality

T he reputation of Stranger Things ’ mop-haired star Finn Wolfhard as the coolest kid on the planet will be delivered a body blow by his appearance in this deeply naff feelgood dogcom that tells the interconnected stories of several pooches and their humans in Los Angeles. It makes Marley and Me look like Citizen Kane, and is actually pretty creepy, in the way that only aggressively life affirming movies can be.

You get the sense that it was written for an all-star cast, but then, well, Jen is a more of a cat person and Eva Longoria was available. Longoria plays Grace, the new adoptive mother of an adorable six-year-old girl who is A Little Bit Sad but otherwise shows no signs of trauma or loss. (Because God forbid anything like a believable human emotion get in the way of the uplift). Mother and daughter bond over an overweight pug they find lost in the park. The dog’s owner is a retired English professor (Ron Cephas Jones), helped by a pizza delivery kid (Wolfhard) in his search for the missing pup. Adam Pally plays a slacker musician left holding the doggie when his frazzled sister gives birth to twins. Vanessa Hudgens is a barista who finds purpose in life when she volunteers at a dog rescue centre, looking after a chihuahua with a hole in its skull.

There are a couple of nice touches: Tig Notaro is nicely deadpan as a dog psychologist who finishes every other sentence with “that’ll be $350”. But the actors play second fiddle to their four-legged co-stars, cast for maximum emotional manipulation. There’s really not much for the humans to do, other than flash brilliant white smiles, making the film feel like the world’s longest toothpaste advert. And it’s a toothbrush you’ll be reaching for after all so much sugary sentimentality.

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(Movie Review) 'Dog Days': A predictable feel-good family movie

By Shim Sun-ah

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Yonhap) -- As another Lunar New Year holiday approaches, another Korean film is ready to hit the silver screens. Unfortunately, the film, 'Dog Days," doesn't transcend the cliche. It, instead, settles into the predictable territory of a feel-good family movie designed for a holiday, normally a high season for the local box office.

While the film's furry cast shines with undeniable charm, the narrative falls prey to the lazy assumption that dog movies hold universal appeal. It treks a familiar path, lacking the originality and creative spark necessary to stand out in this crowded genre.

This photo provided by CJ ENM shows a scene from the Korean film "Dog Days." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The film opens with Min-sang (Yoo Hae-jin), an ill-tempered landlord and salaried man, becoming furious after stepping on dog excrement on his way to work, as happens every day. The culprits are stray dogs cared for by his veterinarian tenant, Jin-young (Kim Seo-hyung), who operates a clinic on the first floor of his building. During one particularly heated argument with Jin-young and her customer, he encounters Min-seo (Youn Yuh-jung), a celebrated architect, and, as he soon discovers, a regular at the clinic.

In desperate need of Min-seo's assistance to attract investors for his company's luxury resort project, Min-sang abruptly changes his attitude and goes to great ends to be friendly to Jin-young and her mischievous dog in order to approach the architect.

After the death of her husband, the elderly Min-seo lives alone in a spacious house. She depends on food delivery services to avoid wasting food and investing time in human relationships.

Despite her gruff demeanor, her sole source of joy is spending time with her only family -- her companion dog, Wanda. When the dog goes missing one day, she does everything she can to find it with help from a young food delivery guy named Jin-woo (Tang Jun-sang) who frequents her home.

The dog eventually ends up in the home of Seon-yong (Chung Sung-hwa), who recently adopted a daughter with his wife Jeong-ah (Kim Yun-jin). As the daughter takes care of the dog, she gradually warms up to the couple.

Seon-yong's junior musician and band leader, Hyun (Lee Hyun-woo), meanwhile, comes to know Daniel (Daniel Henney), an ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend who is away from home, while caring for her companion dog.

While the film may appeal to audiences seeking a heartwarming and comfortable experience with furry companions, it does not offer anything fresh or innovative. As expected, the movie's initially clashing characters form romantic or other relationships that revolve around dogs, ultimately leading to a happy ending for all.

If there is anything that captivates the audience besides the lovely dogs, it's the elderly architect's gruff yet wise advice about life. Her unlikely friendship with the young delivery guy shines through the excellent chemistry between Youn and Tang.

The movie is set to premiere in local theaters on Feb. 7.

[email protected] (END)

• Film 'Dog Days' is about 'relationship,' 'growth,' says director
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• 'Beyond Utopia' on N. Korean escapees to be screened at State Dept. this week
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• Occult thriller 'Exhuma' starring Choi Min-sik to hit theaters
• Ma Dong-seok's signature action gets upgrade in 'Badland Hunters'
• Korean action flick 'The Roundup' invited to Berlin film festival

(Movie Review) 'Dog Days': A predictable feel-good family movie

N. Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with new guidance technology

Yoon vows to advance freedom, welfare to uphold spirit of 1980 pro-democracy uprising

• Top U.S. negotiator for defense cost sharing talks arrives in Seoul
• NewJeans members submit petitions over court injunction in Hybe-ADOR conflict
• U.S. condemns N. Korea's missile launches as UNSC resolution violation
• House committee endorses resolution highlighting importance of S. Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation

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• DVD & Streaming

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

• Comedy , Kids

Content Caution

In Theaters

• August 3, 2012
• Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley; Devon Bostick as Rodrick Heffley; Steve Zahn as Frank Heffley; Rachael Harris as Susan Heffley; Robert Capron as Rowley; Melissa Roxburgh as Heather Hills; Peyton List as Holly Hills; Grayson Russell as Fregley; Karan Brar as Chirag; Laine MacNeil as Patty Farrell

Home Release Date

• December 18, 2012
• David Bowers

Distributor

• 20th Century Fox

Movie Review

It’s official. The last of the yearbooks have been signed, the last frown from a teacher has been aimed and the last school bell has rung for the year. It’s summer.

And, boy, does Greg Heffley have the perfect summer plan: He’s going to grab a giant bag of chips, a six-pack of soda, a good-sized chunk of living room floor and play him some video games. Day and night, night and day. Video games, 24/7.

At least that would have been the perfect summer plan if his family hadn’t gotten involved. But, of course, his dad decides that Greg needs to get outside more. And so he goes out and signs the kid up for the Wilderness Explorers. Oh, and there’s that Civil War reenactment that they can do together. Woo-hoo, a day spent with old bearded men in scratchy wool uniforms and horsehair underwear!

His mom? She’s got her bliss-bashing schemes too. How about a young reader’s book club? Yeah, reading and writing book reports on (ugh!) Little Women, that’s just how Greg wants to spend his summer break.

Next thing you know, his parents will start volunteering him for unpaid jobs around the neighborhood—like painting fences or scooping up dog doo. Anything, it seems, to get him out of the house.

But then, while joining his friend Rowley at the local country club for a splash in the pool, Greg comes up with Perfect Summer Plan No. 2: He’ll lie. He’ll tell his folks he got a summer job at the club! That way he can join Rowley at the pool and sip smoothies every day.

Not only that, but his crush from school, Holly, is known to show up at the club from time to time. And gazing across the pool at her blonde-haired, blue-eyed perfection could make for a pretty cool summer’s respite. It ain’t video games, but it ain’t bad either.

Of course, there is Greg’s older brother/troublemaker Rodrick to contend with. He threatens to spill the beans, blackmailing Greg into sneaking him into the club too. But Greg is sure he can keep that situation under control.

He can do this. He’ll keep it all together and still have a perfect summer. I mean, come on, what else could possibly go wrong?

Positive Elements

Greg’s and Rowley’s parents seem, from Greg’s perspective, to be rather old-fashioned and overprotective. But in the end, their concerns are all shown to be justified. In fact, we see that Susan and Frank are doing their best to connect with their son and give him a memorable summer, not a miserable one. Susan suggests to her husband, “Be the father you wished your father had been.” Frank realizes the wisdom of her words and agrees to put in more time with Greg.

And lessons connected to bad behavior sink in pretty well this time around. When Rowley breaks a promise to his parents, he’s devastated when they express quiet disappointment with his choice. And though Greg is surprised by Rowley’s reaction, he shares some of the same feelings later when he realizes that his lies have hurt his father.

After Greg finally takes responsibility for his “screw-ups” and apologizes, he and his dad have a sincere heart-to-heart. Frank communicates his love and hopes for his boy, and shares a statement that his grandfather once passed on to him: “The man who’s never made a mistake has never made anything. The trick is to learn from your mistakes.” Greg and his dad find several things to bond over—including a shared dislike of a comic strip series in the newspaper.

Spiritual Elements

While in the Wilderness Explorers wood-carving class, Greg’s friend, Chirag, carves a small Hindu idol figurine.

Sexual Content

Teen girls lounge around the pool in bikinis. (Holly wears a one-piece suit, sometimes with a T-shirt over it.) A mishap on the diving board lands Greg in the pool without his trunks. He panics when he sees a young girl slip into the water wearing swimming goggles. And later he finds and dons a pair of pink girls’ bottoms emblazoned with the word “Princess” on the back in order to make it out of the pool. (No nudity is shown.)

Greg walks through the locker room at the community pool trying not to look at all the naked, hairy, fat men walking around. (We see lots of legs and torsos, and a fair amount of a couple of backsides as their shorts slip down.) Greg’s dad strips off his son’s bedcovers leaving the boy lying there in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts.

Violent Content

Playing tennis, one of Holly’s friends takes great pleasure in pummeling the boys with hard-served balls. Rowley gets hit in the crotch, and Greg is battered all over. Greg also falls over the net and crashes to the court. Holly’s self-centered sister Heather runs over Rodrick’s toe with her car tire. (The smitten Rodrick yelps, then tries to cover with cool.)

After hearing a scary story, Greg panics and mistakenly hits his dad’s hand with a mallet. Greg causes a camp leader to trip, fall and accidentally set his tent on fire. Rodrick’s rock ‘n’ roll antics with his group Löded Diper end up with him smashing an ice sculpture, overturning a chocolate fountain and otherwise destroying Heather’s Sweet 16 party.

Crude or Profane Language

Name-calling includes “loser,” “shrimp,” “midget,” “jerk,” “sucker” and “wimp.” We also hear one or two uses each of “heck” and “oh my god.” One exclamation of “What the …?” trails off.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other negative elements.

There are several different categories to explore here. Issue One is narcissism. Rodrick and Heather are like two peas in a “me-me-me” pod. In fact, Greg remarks that the egocentric Heather is like “Rodrick in a dress.” They both repeatedly demand that everything revolve around them. (While sensible moviegoers will instantly recognize their stereotypical behavior as negative, some fans of the series may think it’s “funny” enough to emulate.)

Issue Two is lying. Greg lies over and over again about his fake summer job, among other things, mainly in hopes of avoiding anything that his parents want from him. Rowley breaks a promise. (No punishments are handed out, but both boys are eventually contrite.)

Issue Three is toilet humor. Floating diapers and peeing kids pollute the community pool—and Greg gets that realization splashed in his face. In the pool’s men’s locker room, the camera usually keeps our view restricted to above the waist. The exception to that rule? Two large men in swimming trunks who bend over and expose a large portion of their hairy backsides. A kid’s body odor seriously impacts the last day of school. Greg’s little brother uses a urinal as a sink. Greg’s new dog watches him while he sits on the toilet (as do we). After that dog grabs the family dinner roast and slobbers all over it, Greg and his dad watch as the family eats the mistreated meat for dinner. Greg admits using Rowley’s toothbrush to scrape dog poop off his shoe. Greg watches Rowley’s dad pick his nose and wipe the findings on his robe.

Elsewhere, Rodrick fakes drowning to attract a pretty lifeguard’s attention, only to be dragged out and given forceful mouth-to-mouth by a large man.

This third adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s best-selling Diary of a Wimpy Kid graphic novels once again dumps the mishap-prone tween Greg into a series of disjunct comic situations. And once again the giggles come from bathroom humor and youthful misbehavior.

Dog Days has the least slobber on it of the batch, though. Which may say more about the rest of the series than it does about this film, because we still face fat hairy men in a locker room, Greg losing his swim trunks in the pool, kids peeing in that selfsame pool, urinal misuse, body odor gags, etc. Thankfully, though, the misbehaving antics don’t all just trail off into groans and guffaws without lessons getting attached to them in Wimpy 3 . Indeed, a major theme of the movie is owning your choices and mistakes, and subsequently learning from them.

Mom and Dad don’t seem to be quite as clueless as they’ve been in the past. Greg and his dad eventually bond and learn to appreciate a great deal about each other. In fact, Greg sorta sums up his new view on his father with, “As for my dad and me, we may not always see things eye to eye, but we definitely work together as a team.”

In spite of those incremental improvements, I’m still sticking to my initial impression of the whole  Wimpy shtick: Kinney’s stick figure books are a far more innocuous place for his hero’s crazy “booger-urine-poop-fart” shenanigans than live-action movies.

Not that you can take even that as an enthusiastic endorsement of the whole idea.

After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.

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“Dog Days” Reviews, Characters and Storyline

“Dog Days” is a South Korean comedy-drama movie helmed by director Kim Deok-min, boasting a diverse ensemble cast including Youn Yuh-jung, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Yun-jin, Jung Sung-hwa, Kim Seo-hyung, Daniel Henney, Lee Hyun-woo, and Tang Jun-sang. Released on February 7, 2024, the film captures a blend of comedic and dramatic elements.

• Yoo Hae-jin plays Min-sang, the proprietor of the animal hospital building, known for his disdain for dogs and his ongoing squabbles with Jin-yeong.
• Kim Yun-jin depicts Jeong-ah, the wife of Seon-yong, embracing motherhood as they adopt a long-awaited daughter.
• Jung Sung-hwa portrays Seon-yong, Jeong-ah’s husband, who also experiences the joy of welcoming their adopted daughter into their lives.
• Kim Seo-hyung takes on the role of Jin-yeong, a veterinarian and tenant in the building, characterized by her easy-going nature and occasional clashes with Min-sang.
• Daniel Henney appears as Daniel, visiting to see his ex-girlfriend’s pet dog, “Sting.”
• Lee Hyun-woo plays Hyeon, an oblivious guitarist tasked with caring for his girlfriend’s pet dog, “Sting,” despite the challenges.
• Tang Jun-sang portrays Jin-woo, a young delivery driver navigating through various part-time jobs to make ends meet.
• Yoon Chae-na is Ji-yu, the daughter of Jeong-ah and Seon-yong, completing their family dynamic.

Min-sang (Yoo Hae-jin) is a solitary individual known for his neat demeanor. His daily headaches stem from Jin-yeong (Kim Seo-hyung), a tenant veterinarian whose management of the building, bought with his life savings, leaves much to be desired. Amidst a heated exchange with Jin-yeong, Min-sang encounters a peculiar elderly woman at the animal hospital, revealed to be Min-seo (Youn Yuh-jung), an acclaimed architect. Desperate for Min-seo’s assistance in an ongoing resort project, Min-sang devises a plan to approach her by targeting Jin-yeong and her canine companion “Chajang-nim”.

As Min-seo grapples with angina, she suddenly collapses on the street, only to be rescued by delivery driver Jin-woo (Tang Jun-sang). However, in the chaos, Min-seo loses her beloved dog and sole companion, “Wanda”. Determined to reunite with Wanda, Min-seo embarks on a search alongside Jin-woo. Meanwhile, Wanda finds refuge with Ji-yu (Yoon Chae-na), the adopted daughter of composer Seon-yong (Jung Sung-hwa) and Jeong-ah (Kim Yun-jin), Min-seo’s neighbors. Concurrently, musician Hyeon (Lee Hyun-woo), a protege of Seon-yong, takes on the responsibility of caring for his girlfriend’s dog “Sting”, only to be caught off guard by the arrival of her ex-boyfriend Daniel (Daniel Henney), who claims to be Sting’s parent. Thus begins the heartwarming tale of interconnected lives, all brought together by a special furry friend.

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9 places to nosh on bagels in southern Maine

From old-school spots to foodie favorites, there's a 'hole' lot to try.

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Bread and bagels at The Works Cafe in downtown Portland. Photo by Aimsel Ponti

From New York-style boiled bagels to Montreal-inspired wood-fired ones, there’s lots of great bagels in southern Maine and several shops have the accolades to back that up.

In 2023, Bon Appetit named bagels from Rose Foods and Rover Bagel among the best in the country.

Two years before that,  Food & Wine Magazine put Rover, Forage and Scratch Baking Co. on its list of best bagels in the U.S.

Whether you like yours toasted with cream cheese or as the bread for your breakfast sandwich, you can find plenty of styles and flavors from Biddeford to Brunswick.

BEACH BAGELS

The offerings at Beach Bagels include a French toast and marble bagel, and the cream cheese menu comprises spreads like strawberry, olive and honey walnut. Along with breakfast sandwiches, Beach Bagels has hearty breakfast options like omelets and pancakes. Best of all, you’re steps away from a beach stroll. Just don’t let the seagulls steal your bagel. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily WHERE: 34 Old Orchard St., Old Orchard Beach. beachbagels.yolasite.com ______________

Dutchman’s opened in 2022 as a pop-up housed at Nomad pizza in Brunswick’s Fort Andross building. It’s since become a permanent fixture there and uses the pizzeria’s wood-fired ovens to bake its bagels. The hand-shaped, honey-boiled bagels come in plain, roasted garlic, poppy and a bagel-of-the-day flavor.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday WHERE: Fort Andross, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. dutchmans.me ______________

FORAGE MARKET

Making bagels at Forage Market involves a two-day aging process. The bagels are naturally leavened with wild yeast starter and baked next to a hardwood fire. There are usually five flavors available, including sesame and garlic. Breakfast sandwiches (including vegan options) are available. Forage also has a location in Lewiston. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 123 Washington Ave., Portland. foragemarket.com _____________

MISTER BAGEL

There are 10 or so Mister Bagel locations in Maine, including South Portland and Falmouth. It all began with the Portland location, which was the first bagel shop to open in Maine. The late Rick Hartglass started Mister Bagel in 1977, and it is still a family business. Music fans will appreciate the breakfast sandwich menu, which includes The David Bowie (bacon, egg and American cheese), the Jimmy Buffett (egg with roast beef and cheddar) and The Lady Gaga (avocado, salt and pepper, with or without egg).

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 599 Forest Ave., Portland. misterbagelforestave.com ______________

At Rose Foods, the menu varies depending on the day, but there are usually six to eight flavors available. For example, should you pop in on a Friday, you’ll find a poppy and onion bialy (a cousin of the bagel that is not boiled). Rose Foods also makes a number of bagel sandwiches, including the Classic Nova with Nova lox and the Classic Whitefish. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily WHERE: 428 Forest Ave., Portland. rosefoods.me

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ROVER BAGEL

At Rover Bagel, you’ll find wood-fired plain, poppy, sea salt, sesame and everything bagels available most of the time, and the spread game here is strong with cream cheese options like lemon-thyme-honey cream and chili-garlic.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 10 West Point Lane Suite 10-204, Biddeford (Pepperell Mill). roverbagel.com

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SCRATCH BAKING CO.

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the line of devoted fans waiting for Scratch Baking Co. to open, especially on weekend mornings. Along with the popular Maine sea salt, plain and other everyday flavors, Scratch has a daily special bagel. There’s honeyed rosemary on Wednesday and jalapeno cheddar on Thursday. Scratch is also famous, at least to locals, for its P-Cheese spread. It’s a pimento cheese recipe made with cheddar, mayo, roasted red peppers and seasoning and was passed down to co-owner and head baker Allison Reid by her grandmother, Mern.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 416 Preble St., South Portland. scratchbakingco.com ___________

THE MAINE BAGEL

The Maine Bagel is a drive-thru with several breakfast and other kinds of sandwiches available. With a bagel list that features egg and bialy among the standards, the family-owned spot is the perfect place to stop on your way to Pine Point Beach. The Maine Bagel really shines with a dozen kinds of cream cheese spreads, including raisin-walnut, lox, strawberry, cranberry-nut and bacon-chive.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: 117 Route 1, Scarborough. themainebagel.com Advertisement

THE WORKS CAFE

The Works Cafe is an institution on the edge of the Portland’s Old Port. It opened in 1990 as Bagel Works before it changed its name in 2002. The original shop in this regional chain opened in Manchester, Vermont, in 1988, and there are 11 locations around New England, though just the one in Maine. Gone are the ’90s-era banana-walnut bagels and cold pizza cream cheese, but The Works Cafe is still a reliable place to grab a salt, multigrain or cinnamon raisin bagel, among others. The menu also has bowls, sandwiches and smoothies.

WHEN: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily WHERE: 15 Temple St., Portland. workscafe.com

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