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Details
This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover was limited to 500 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
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:
Region Free Blu-ray
Commentary with Toby Jones, AJ Thompson, Tucker Lucas, and Ben Hanson
Friends and Family Commentary with Greg Carlson, Beth Jones, John Jones, and Hattie Gompf
Rebecca Sugar "Hill to Die On" Music Video
Making of the Krogloch Sequence by Owen Dennis
Toby Goes To Make A Movie: An Interview with Toby Jones by Justin Decloux
Hattie's Sequel Pitch
Local Fargo TV Appearances
Pitch to Self in Car (2019)
Animatic
Trailer
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.607143 / 5 from 28 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
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.
"A really fun day movie that defiantly packs alot of laughs for me." — Charles S.
"Awesome Movie is. . . . . . Awesome" — James J.
"A great movie with so much going on." — James J.
Reviews
AJ Goes to the Dog Park
"AJ Goes to the Dog Park is an offbeat indie comedy that leans hard into awkwardness and low-key absurdity, finding humor in the mundane rhythms of everyday life. The film follows its socially adrift protagonist through a series of small, loosely connected encounters centered around the deceptively ordinary setting of a neighborhood dog park, using that space as a backdrop for subtle character study. Its deliberately understated pacing and dry, sometimes uncomfortable humor won’t land for everyone, but there’s a certain sincerity to how it observes loneliness, routine, and the strange ways people try to connect. Rather than building toward big comedic payoffs, it settles into a quiet, almost meandering groove, making it feel less like a traditional comedy and more like a gently surreal slice of life."
— Neal L. (5/5)
Funny! Inspiring!
"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"
— Alexander H. (5/5)
Lots of heart here. . . .
"but unfortunately this comedy just didn't do it for me. I ain't trying to dog on the film so much, though. It was obviously made with a lot of love, and I did get a few laughs in, but the humor felt too safe. This release, however, is top notch, and has a bunch of special features. The cover art and slipcover are pretty darn sweet."
— Ben. Z. (3/5)
Don’t watch on your birthday
"Watched it on my birthday. Maybe because my initials are AJ. I think I would have enjoyed it more not on my birthday. It’s not bad by any means but I expected something more like Inspector Ike or Lake Michigan Monster. I think the short review at 366 Weird Movies is spot on."
— Andrew B. (3/5)
Joyous, Silly Delight
"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!"
— Maxim P. (5/5)
A really fun day movie
"A really fun day movie that defiantly packs alot of laughs for me. the maincomparison that pops in my head is "Hot Rod" I will say the movie kinda runs a little too long, but I still really enjoyed this all together"
— Charles S. (4/5)
What a Great Cover!
"This one is a blind buy for me, I bought it because I dug the slipcover. It looks awesome, and I can't wait to watch the movie!"
— Jake B. (5/5)
AJ Goes To The Dog Park
"AJ’s dogs are named Diddy and Biff!!!!! Beyond description or comparison, but: like a zero budget Tim & Eric and Pete & Pete simultaneously, with sprinklings of stuff like Hot Rod and Walk Hard with an ending that needs to be seen to be believed."
— Justin S. (5/5)
Charming DIY movie
"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."
— Andrew H. (4/5)
My wife and I liked this spoofy movie very much.
"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."
— daniel s. (5/5)
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