Animal Dog

The debut directorial feature from Joe Burke, “Four Dogs,” could be aptly subtitled, “Down and Out in Hollywood,” as it centers on Oliver (Oliver Cooper), a struggling actor, and his acting class buddy, Dan (Dan Bakkedahl). But in actuality, the Hollywood struggle story is really only a surface conceit; the film is really about the love and support one can find in the unlikeliest of people and relationships. Largely improvised, and willfully blurring reality and fiction, “Four Dogs” straddles the line between drama and comedy. Unflinchingly honest in its portrayal of this little pocket of humanity, it finds both the pathos and humor in the moments of real life that are truly funny and truly sad. Oliver Cooper plays himself as young struggling actor Oliver, living in his aunt Becca’s (Rebecca Goldstein) house, walking her dogs, and taking care of the house while she is away working as a flight attendant. Becca (and her dogs) play themselves in her real house. Oliver’s friend Dan is...

A mentally disabled woman and her child were held in an Ohio apartment for two years, forced to perform manual labor and threatened with dogs and snakes to keep them compliant, federal authorities said Tuesday.