User reviews

Artie is a terrible actor but this is definitely his best acting ever. Probably because it's basically just a documentary. It's what his life would be if he hadn't gotten into show business. There's some great editing mistakes in the diner scene. A french fry appears on the window sill then disappears and reappears. The the girl throws them. Good stuff.

It's amazing when people get on a website and rip a movie like "Beer League" as if they were expecting "Citizen Kane" when they went to the movies. Beer League involves the heated rivalry between two men's softball teams in New Jersey; Ed's Beer and Swill (featuring Artie Lange, Ralph Macchio and assorted others) and Manganelli Fitness, a four time league champion. After yet another collective trip to the police station following a brawl, it is decided the team with the worst record between the two at season's end will be thrown out of the league. Lange & Company band together and show resolve to reach the title game vs. Manganelli. Guess who wins?

I thought the movie was funny- even hilarious in spots. Beer League never tries to be anything other than what it is; a bawdy comedy with plenty of crude humor, sexual misconduct and vulgarity. Little was required in the acting department, as Lange is essentially playing himself. Fans of his stand-up act and Howard Stern appearances will not be disappointed. There are welcome cameos by Sopranos bit player Frank Pellegrino and series regular Joseph Gannascoli. And Seymour Cassel turns in a great performance as the team's old, foul-mouthed pitcher, Dirt.

Lange's real life drug and alcohol use- parodied and boasted about in nearly everything he does- will hopefully not have tragic consequences as it has for so many others in the world of comedy. This movie works, however, and is good for a few belly laughs along the way.

This movie did a great job of bringing real life people we all know in a funny well written movie. Artie Lange did a great job portraying a character a lot like himself. He has a natural acting ability and created a warm, caring loser. The humor was crude but hysterical. The actors were all perfectly cast and enjoyable to watch. It was nice to see a low budgeted movie so well filmed and edited. I intend to go see the movie again to hear some of the jokes missed by the audience laughter. I hope to see Artie Lange do some more writing, the script was honest and believable. It obviously was a labor of love. Although there was plenty of cursing and sex-play, it added to the theme of the movie. I hope this film launches Artie to more starring roles. Hollywood needs more "honest" film-making

This movie was funny from beginning to end (and I am not a Howard Stern fan). Everyone has different tastes but after reading some other comments I have to ask one question. What would you expect from an Artie Lange movie!?! This isn't aimed at the Fraser Crain's of the world. It's aimed at normal everyday people who don't take themselves too seriously and don't have to over analyze every movie they see. Yes it's dirty and vulgar and full of penis jokes but it somehow still ends up being a very cute movie. It will win no awards for a suspenseful plot and there were no surprises but I thought the comedic acting was fabulous and the dialog very funny. Basically, if you don't have a stick up your butt you will probably like it and you will have a smile on your face when it's over.

Artie Lange is an acquired taste. That is, if you know who he is. Not a marquee name, though definitely a recognizable face, Lange, like Adam Sandler, is the kind of comedian you either love or hate: loud, profane, and politically incorrect. Lange is basically John Belushi reincarnated (it helps that Lange looks enough like Belushi that he could play him in a bio pic). I've been a huge fan of Artie Lange's since the beginning of his career so the critique that follows should be considered pretty biased.

In BEER LEAGUE, Lange plays Artie (what a surprise), a 35-year-old alcohol-loving slacker/loser without a job who still lives with his mother (Laurie Metcalf). His life consists of little else besides attending bars, eating, and playing softball with his buddies. After getting in a fight with the championship team, it is decided by the local police that only one of the teams will be able to remain in the league at the end of the season. What follows is a series of scenes involving non-stop cursing, alcohol consumption, and some softball playing in between.

It goes without saying that BEER LEAGUE doesn't have the strongest plot in the world, which helps get as much nudity, crude jokes, and general tastelessness as one could want from the genre. A good 85% of the jokes succeed. However, there are times when the lack of story really does hurt the film. While never coming across as a one-joke, "Saturday Night Live" (or in Lange's case, "MAD TV") sketch kind of movie, Lange and co-writer/director Frank Sebastiano occasionally seem to find themselves in a trap as to what exactly to do with the picture to move it along plot wise. There's a sub-plot involving Artie's love-interest Linda (the very cute Cara Buono, giving the best performance of anyone in the cast) that gives the raunch-fest an unexpected heart, though despite their chemistry, her character and their relationship is never developed strongly enough for me to give it a higher rating. That said, the romance angle works a lot better here than it did in recent R-rated comedies like WEDDING CRASHERS and 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, where it seemed to take the focus away from the main proceedings and in VIRGIN's case, felt extraordinarily fake. BEER LEAGUE is better than both the aforementioned comedies and certainly has more laughs than both combined, but if you aren't a fan of Lange, chances are you'll find yourself disagreeing. For the 18-29 male demographic BEER LEAGUE makes for a great guy flick. 7/10

If I were to say the movie was just OK than you would probably tell me that this is boring review and I don't blame you. But I have to say, seriously though, it was just OK. Not going to be on Roeper's 2006 picks, but good enough for a Sunday afternoon on Showtime. If you go see it, I would recommend this to put you in the right spirit; alcohol and a packed theatre. The movie is funny but not clever. You definitely need a little something to wash it down with. There's a lot of bad herpes jokes, guys calling each other fags, and a painfully bad callback involving a guy vomiting. The jokes are abundant though and for every miss there's a solid hit or two.

My major complaint with the movie is the sense that it was missing something or parts where I felt there was missed opportunity. Every scene seemed to play like the next and I think it would have been cool to see something that was set apart and memorable. For example a fantasy/dream/passout sequence with Artie in a major league game with bikini chicks handing him beers at the plate and one of the Yankee's pitching to him, but it's a softball. I don't know, something like that. If not that, they could of had a really good crazy prank scene somewhere in the half way through to take you away from the main plot for 5 minutes. Along the lines of the horse in the deans office in Animal House, or the police car in American Graffiti. Just something to contrast with Italians tossing around softballs and drinking in a bar.

As for Artie, he was great for the role of "Artie" and after 20 minutes you easy got lost in the character, forgetting the Stern show aspect. Forgetting of course they named the character Artie, gave him a girlfriend who he can't commit to, had him drink too much, smoke too much, and have issues with his father's death. Nice Stretch. Why not give him a Sirius t-shirt?

If you like people making fart jokes and drinking beer. This movie probably still isn't for you because they attempt to do that but still fail. Couple good giggles here and there but mostly dry and poor jokes. If you fall asleep during this movie. Don't feel bad. 10 minutes basically sums it all up.

This is just a fun buddy guys film that should be just enjoyed not offended by. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Artie is a pro in this!

I'm a huge Howard Stern fan, and I've been excited to see this movie since I first heard Artie talking about it on the Stern show. I was not expecting much out of this movie - just a stupid movie with some good laughs. But this film fell far short of my already very low expectations. There were plot lines within plot lines within plot lines - each one slowing down any kind of flow the movie tried to catch. When the softball part started to get somewhat interesting, the love story would bog it down. Artie tried to do a John Candy and be the farcical yet believable character - but he just did a bunch of Artie-shtick. He really was not able to carry this movie. It was kind of a fun movie, but even the fun scenes such as the bachelor party felt like a drag - clumsily staged and just awkward. Ralph Maccio rocked. Hopefully he will get in more movies from doing this one. The enemy antagonist was good at his role, but it was just too unbelievable. This guy has the best softball team, owns the best gym, AND is running for mayor? All of these different plot lines began to give me a headache and made me look at my watch waiting for the end. There are some good laughs, but we get mostly one liners here. In fairness, I should add that my friend who saw it with me has never listened to the Stern show and liked the movie a lot better than I did. This is a good TV movie or Netflix movie, but I wouldn't recommend seeing it in the theaters.

I love Stern and love Artie but don't waste your money on this movie. I saw it in the theater and should have walked out about 20 minutes in but stayed until the end. Artie can't deliver a line to save his life. Stick to the radio show Artie, that is what you do best. This sells because of Howard Stern. It has been commercialized like crazy because Artie Lange is a part of the Howard's show on Sirius Satellite Radio. He is not even that good on the show but is just my opinion. Cut to the movie, This is a bad movie! I would not mind if it was a mediocre movie but I'm actually returning it for a refund, that's how bad it was. Has no artistic value, was made for pure profits and to take advantage of Howard Stern Radio Show on Sirius - Free Advertizing.

I have to admit, I was shocked that this movie was so funny. My wife and I both saw it this afternoon, While I did appreciate the movie more than her, she did laugh pretty hard at some scenes. Don't take the kids, but get a sitter and go see this movie!

While this was an afternoon showing on a Saturday, we will still shocked that we actually did have to "look" for a seat rather than just walk in and take any we wanted.

There were times in this movie that people were laughing so hard that we could not hear what was being said next. I don't think this has happened during a movie I have seen since American Pie.

For the life of me I can not figure out why this movie did not do well at the box office. This is a very well made, well written comedy. It has improv feel just like THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN. BEER LEAGUE is 3 times as funny as THE BENCH WARMERS. If your a guy that likes raunchy humor, you will love this film. As sports movie go many have gaps that don't follow the "correct time line" This all makes sense. The softball is accurate. The extra DVD is full of great stuff as well. I assume the producers of this film did not like the fact that is bombed. So they just put all they could in to the DVD. Check this film out. If you liked BAD SANTA, THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, THE BAD NEW BEARS or CADDYSHACK you will enjoy BEER LEAGUE.

Watched/listened to this train wreck on the "Secret Stash" on Comedy Central last night. At this hour, it wasn't too censored and I found it virtually unwatchable. Not since Manos: The Hands of Fate, back in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 days, has Comedy Central fielded such garbage. Would actually rather have seen a 44th rerun of an old "Dave Chapelle Show" than to be subjected to this. Most of the commercials were sustaining (Comedy Central) as I can imagine they would have had a hard time attracting any advertising save for local cable stuff. In my opinion, after "Manos", this is the worst movie Comedy Central has ever shown.

Skip it!

I suppose Artie Lange can be funny at times. It took me a long time to accept him on Howard's show. I wasn't a big fan of Jackie, and it seemed to me that hiring Artie was a step down even then. I thought he had the most annoying laugh, and he was crude and sloppy. I kinda sorta warmed up to Artie after a bit, he said some funny things on the show now and again. I even lol'd when he told his "Bowel Movement" story during the last few weeks of Howard's terrestrial radio tenure. However, I definitely wouldn't consider myself a huge fan.

Now, after seeing this movie, my opinion of Artie has just dropped about 100 levels. This movie is so bad. There were numerous scenes that made me cringe, especially anything that pertained to sex and bodily functions. Oh wait! That would be the entire movie! The plot of this movie is nothing new. How many times can you make the same movie? The "underdog losers" cannot stand the humiliation...decide it's time to win win win!!!! (blahblahblahblah) The dialogue is crude, foul and obnoxious. I can only think of one or two lines that actually made me laugh audibly. Otherwise it was a ridiculous insult to my intelligence. My eyeballs hurt like hell afterward from rolling them so many times.

I love stupid humor. Most of my favorite movies are stupid movies. Having said that, I don't think this movie can even come close to the level of 'stupidy' I have ever witnessed in any any other movie in my entire life. 'Mentally challenged', perhaps!?!?! Thank goodness I got to see it for free! I would have hated myself if I'd actually donated my hard earned money to Artie's coke & Jack habits to watch that garbage.

Oh and by the way, the more popular Italian foods aren't pronounced "gobigole", "galamade", and "mooootzarelle". Say any of those "words" to a real Italian and you'd get slapped like a biatch.

I recommend that you see this movie if you're a bloated, unintelligent, couch-potato, beer-swilling, mid-life crisis case.

I'd heard bad things about Beer League, even from the faithful on the Howard Stern show. Sophomoric humor and dumb jokes that Artie should have been ashamed to put on the screen (he's much better than that). Well, I decided to take the plunge. I rented this and another comedy in the same night, and decided to watch this first to get it out of the way.

I was pleasantly surprised--it was actually an enjoyable flick! It wasn't wonderful, but then it didn't try to be. It was basically about a bunch of goombaas from northern New Jersey who enjoy playing softball with each other, and the complications that occur when they vie for a championship with a team headed by Artie's arch-nemesis. Throw in a love interest and you've got a clichéd, hackneyed, predictable plot; but at the same time, these guys make it fun to watch. They never take themselves or the movie too seriously. Artie's the funniest, of course, and as his love life develops his character shows himself to be a sweet guy, too. All the characters love softball, but they also love each other, despite all the arguing they do.

I agree with another reviewer--the main shortcoming is the direction. It wasn't tight enough--there were many beats that needed to be shorter. But I got used to it (maybe it's cause I'm from Jersey originally).

All in all, not a bad way to spend 87 minutes.

(One strange thing about the movie--despite the title, there is almost no beer in it!)

Hey - it's "The Bad News Bears" again, but this time it's an older guy's softball team. How many times is this storyline going to be thrown back at us (as long as we keep paying to watch?).

Hey - there's also the loose woman with a heart of gold and the villainous villain who struts and grabs his crotch a lot.

There were some good scenes and there may have been something worthwhile in the screenplay and some of the characters but ultimately the thing was edited to fit the formula so that that which may have been worthwhile was lost or left to sit shining alone with no beginning or resolution. A long disjointed sentence with no commas.

Advice -- Do not pay money for this. Download it for free, burn it to a CD -- then burn the CD.

I just saw the preview in Paramus and I wanted to be wrong about my gut feeling on this movie. Artie, I loved you on Norm and I love you on Howard, there were even a couple of moments in this otherwise waste of my time that you made me laugh. Robin's prediction of this movie becoming and overwhelming success on yesterday's show and causing you to leave the show will not likely occur. This movie was just awful. The plot was terrible, the acting is amongst the worst I've ever seen, The story was oh so predictable. It was just a manifestation of a Stern Show skit which plays well on the radio when you are usually doing something else at the same time, but it hurts when you are sitting down and focusing solely on it. This movie looks very much like a very low budget B movie. If I was at home watching this on cable, I'd turn on anything that wasn't Beer League.

Artie, Please Please Please keep your day job.... You're very good at that.

How can anyone complain about this movie?? It's extremely funny at times and exactly what was promised, a small budget comedy with lots of raunchy humor. Just like everything else Stern related I think people feel the need to be critical even when it isn't warranted. Go see the movie. If you're a fan of the Stern show and a fan of Artie you won't be disappointed. I was surprised to see how much of the movie came directly from Artie's real life experiences. Any true fan will spot them right away (including the Mattingly poster!). This may not be the movie you want to take a first date to go see but it's good for a fun night out with the guys. I just hope everyone that leaves a comment actually saw the movie and aren't just making up comments to push an agenda.

Artie Lange got to play out his movie fantasies in this self-made screwball feature made for cable, streaming and DVD. It's not the type of movie exhibitors book for theaters anymore. Artie picks up hot New Jersey neighborhood chick Cara Buono (who made it big years later in Mad Men and Stranger Things) playing Linda in miniskirts, high heels and tight tops. He takes the shapely bimbo to the house where he lives with his mom and gives her the Lange schlang. The audience is spared Cinemax-style softcore scenes of this beauty and the bum. Most likely Cara would have declined those honors. After she leaves in the morning, his mother walks into the bedroom for a chat. Later on, the "romance" continues for the rest of the picture and Artie and the busty babe live happily ever after. Oh, yeah, there's a beer guzzling softball rivalry going on too with guys like the great Seymour Cassel and Ralph Macchio. Very much in the same league and quality as the 400 or so PG and R-rated sex comedies shot in the 70s and all of the 1980s but not as explicit.

Beer League is for the most part competently made. The actors are believable and the sets look like what they are supposed to and the camera man doesn't trip with the the steadicam. That's about all I have to say about it that's positive. That, and that by IMDb votes, apparently only one girl in her tender developing years has been subjected to it.

Perhaps if the movie weren't so misogynistic, it would have been merely stupid. This movie isn't funny and has nothing valuable to say. About the only use for it that I can think of is to demonstrate the virgin/whore dichotomy, perhaps more on display here than anywhere else. As of right now, this movie is only marginally below Ghostbusters 2 in its overall score. What is wrong with these people?

I'm a Howard Stern fan and became an Artie fan when he replaced Jackie (F Jackie!). I went to this movie with the sole purpose of supporting Artie. The "T&A comedies about drunk party guys" genre is not usually what i PAY to see, but hey, it's either that or pay $13 a month to listen to Artie go crazy from utter failure... (come to think of it, that would have been classic radio!). I was very surprised at this movie! Sure there is the stuff you would expect to see, but I was shocked that some of it was touching. I cared about "Artie" and wanted things to work out with him and his girlfriend! The critics need to lighten up a bit, it never claimed to be Citizen Kane! I think it's far better than most movies of this type, and with the right word of mouth and a wider release(which it's getting thanks to good weekend box office numbers) it could find a place with such classics like Animal House and Caddyshack! I rooted for the good guys and hated the bad guy, and isn't that what going to the movies has been about for a hundred years? Now when is Beer League 2 coming....?

As a basic movie with a story line, this film was weak. As a comedy, it was great, but you have to like this type of humor. It is a bunch of snobby one liners full of crude humor. I am a fan of this humor and it had me laughing from start to finish. The cast is pretty decent and you could tell they just all had fun. Artie Lange was the fat idiot; although he looks skinnier in this movie than other ones I have seen him in. Ralph Macchio is in the film and he was not as funny as the others, but he still shows some acting skills. There are so many side characters in the film that it is hard to list them all. I am guessing they were just friends who got to be in the film. Some were Louis Lombardi, Jim Breuer and even Tina Fey. Some other side characters had bigger parts and were just as funny. Two characters I enjoyed a lot were Joe Lo Truglio who was wearing cut off jean shorts. That had me laughing every time he wore them. Then you have Jerry Minor who played the so called "token black guy". But that was to everyone else and not him. Then the actor who had the best lines in the movie was Seymour Cassel. The things he said really had me laughing. So overall, a pretty decent comedy, but as a full movie, it was just OK.