Page 30 - AT

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Thursday 22 November 2018

Netflix docu-series 'Dogs' lovingly serves up the human bond

By LEANNE ITALIE Berg directed two of the
Associated Press episodes, including one fo-
NEW YORK (AP) — In these cused on Zeus, a Siberian
heated and oft-difficult husky with the mournful cry
times, do we need dogs of the breed. He's trapped
more than ever? in Syria after his master flees
Do we need to rescue military service to Germany
them, let them run free, and that's where their story
accept their precious help begins. She was also at the
with our most trying physi- helm of an episode that fol-
cal challenges and revel in lows a devoted Manhattan
their licks and loving nudg- animal rescuer on a mission
es? to provide second chanc-
Filmmakers Glen Zipper and es to 31 dogs from a Texas
Amy Berg think absolutely shelter, finding them homes
yes. They worked together around her city. The dogs
on the new Netflix Original have the names of famous
docu-series "Dogs," which singers: Jimmy Buffett, Jay
dropped last week. Z and Justin Timberlake, to
"We're in undeniably divi- name a few.
sive times right now. We're This image released by Netflix shows a scene from the documentary "Dogs," streaming Friday, The other episodes were
all searching for something on Netflix. directed by a variety of
that everyone can agree Associated Press award-winning filmmak-
on and dogs are probably around the globe, from you to the brink, serving none of something in par- ers, including one that uses
about as close to that as suburban Cincinnati, Ohio, to inspire and uniquely ticular that's more often drone footage to show us
we get," said Zipper, who and the Lower East of Man- frame the nearly hour-long than not a standard in from above what it looks
executive produced the hattan to Italy's Lake Como chunks of storytelling set in dog film fare through time: like to watch hundreds of
six-part project with Berg. region and the dangerous locations and around cir- death. I repeat. NOBODY former street dogs race
"My brother and I are on streets of Damascus in Syria. cumstances chosen with DIES. To heck with spoilers. happily along lush green
completely opposite sides There are human heroes, to the help of a casting team, No dog protagonists and hillsides at a 300-acre sanc-
of the political spectrum," be sure, but it's the howl of said Berg. no humans, either. That tuary in Costa Rica, and the
he explained, "but he's Zeus and the watchful dili- "We wanted to illustrate the isn't to say that tears won't financial struggles involved
got five dogs and I've got gence of Ice, the commit- connection between all be shed, including by you to provide them better lives.
my dog, Anthony. We start ment of curly-haired Rory cultures with dogs and hu- if you're truly human, and Another episode takes us
talking about the dogs and the undying loyalty of mans, and the dog-human that people and dogs into the world of competi-
and start feeling the love Max that drive these stories. love story," Berg said. aren't in danger or sick or tive dog groomolunteering
again."The series is set The dogs themselves take There's plenty of love, and depressed. at an animal shelter. q

Bosch reluctantly takes on a

partner in 'Dark Sacred

By JEFF AYERS tackling unsolved crimes.
Associated Press After Bosch tells Ballard
"Dark Sacred Night" (Lit- the details, she informs
tle, Brown and Co.), by Bosch that he needs to
Michael ConnellyLos An- leave since they could
geles Police Department both get into trouble. After
detective Renee Ballard he leaves, she realizes her
was introduced in Michael curiosity has been piqued
Connelly's popular "The and now she wants to
Late Show." She was given uncover the girl's killer as
the graveyard shift after well.Ballard offers to assist
reporting her former part- in the investigation and
ner for harassment, and even helps take off hours This cover image released
she doesn't let the poor as- to go through old notes by Little, Brown and
signment distract her from written by the officers who Company shows "Dark
her duty.One late evening originally tried to solve the Sacred Night" by Michael
she sees someone going murder. She and Bosch Connelly.
through old file cabinets soon become hesitant Associated Press
and confronts him. He partners. They will have world of crime and law
tells her his name is Harry to work together to build enforcement. The cases
Bosch and he's working on trust, but obstacles in both that Ballard and Bosch
a particular cold case he the cold case and current tackle would be enough
wants to solve involving investigations will quickly to recommend this story,
the murder of a 15-year- put their relationship to the but what makes Connelly
old runaway. Even though test.Readers know that so much better than most
he's retired from the LAPD, when they pick up a Mi- crime fiction writers is that
he's working for the San chael Connelly novel they his police detectives are
Fernando police depart- will get a compelling and human and real. The com-
ment as a reserve officer well-written dive into the bination is quality.q