Cartuna is a cartoon company and indie film distributor focused on animation, puppetry, DIY art, and alt-comedy. Please enjoy our personal collection of films, our artists will thank you for it!
AJ lives a quiet, ordinary life in the midwest haven of Fargo, North Dakota. His days revolve around small rituals—morning toast, work as a technical consultant, and cherished afternoons at the local dog park with his two chihuahuas, Diddy and Biff. But when the mayor unexpectedly transforms the park into a sterile blog park with a strict “no dogs allowed” rule, AJ’s routine—and sense of peace—is shattered.
Determined to reclaim his happy place, AJ embarks on an increasingly surreal odyssey that starts with a goal to unseat the mayor and spirals into a fever dream of animated interludes, amateur brawling, and unexpected cosmic detours. Blending lo-fi live-action with bursts of mixed-media, AJ Goes to the Dog Park is a riotous, offbeat comedy about holding onto the things that matter in a world that won’t stop changing.
A scrappy, heartfelt debut from Emmy-nominated Toby Jones (Regular Show, OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes), the film is a love letter to community, canine companionship, and the absurd lengths we’ll go to protect what we love.
directed by: Toby Jones
starring: AJ Thompson, Crystal Cossette Knight, Greg Carlson, Danny Davy, Morgan Hoyt Davy, Jason Ehlert, Jacob Hartje, Ethan Saari
2024 / 79 min / 1.78:1 / English DTS-HD MA 5.1, 2.0
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.535714 / 5 from 28 reviews.
AJ Goes to the Dog Park is a quirky, offbeat comedy that blends lo-fi live-action with mixed-media. It's a heartfelt debut from Toby Jones, celebrated for its charm and unique storytelling. While some find the comedy bizarre, many customers enjoyed the film as a fun and entertaining experience.
Review topics: [movie, comedy, film, humor, dog, release, extras, art, slipcover].
"So bad it’s good, but like on purpose. This is like when a bunch of silly friends get together and make a movie. Terrible acting, cringe jokes, poor editing, nonsensical story, but it just works. Get it if you want a fun time."
"Zero-budget masterpiece. Great art and extras on this release. Fans of irreverent and absurd comedy will be please. Movies are for everyone and anyone. Friends and community come together on screen, in such beautifully stupid ways"
"Style, surprises, and gags-a-plenty in this “simple” story of ordinary adventure. The [adult swim] and HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS comparisons are accurate indicators of this movie’s vibes and tone, but it’s wholly its own thing (and not nearly as polished as HOB, which is no slight against it). If pressed, I would have to recommend this live-action cartoon to anyone who’s ever seen a dog. Just watch it already!"
"The kind of humble low budget romp that's right up my alley. It has the vibe of the more surreally wholesome side of Adult Swim, complete with charmingly cheap green (sometimes blue) screen effects and hammy performances that clearly understood the assignment. Something this DIY won't be to everyone's liking but I'm a sucker for it. For a little movie about a guy trying to save his town's dog park from being turned into a "blog park", you won't be able to guess how this ends."
"very silly movie. between this and 100s of beavers I am a big Cartuna fan now. My wife actually liked this one too! Also, I have a friend named AJ and he also has a dog."
"Numerous movies these days that try to become cult films. They put the cart before the horse. This is naturally, proudly what it is. Its not pandering to an aesthetic fad. Its not chasing trends. No other movie like this."
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