Misconceived romantic comedy

Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (McConaughey) adores his job, but loves women even more - not that he treats them with any respect, dumping girlfriends by conference call, sometimes three at a time.

His reckless attitude towards relationships is in stark contrast to his hopelessly romantic, younger brother Paul (Meyer), who is about to marry his sweetheart Sandra (Chabert).

Connor almost ruins the pre-wedding celebrations to the dismay of Paul and the other guests, including the photographer's childhood friend, Jenny (Garner). That same day, the ghost of Connor's idol, Uncle Wayne (Douglas), visits the lothario to instruct him that three spirits (Stone, DeWulf, Maliouk) will make contact to offer a glimpse at his past, present and future relationships.

Inspired loosely by Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past concerns an incorrigible womaniser who considers changing his ways thanks to the intervention of three ethereal guides.

McConaughey surprisingly keeps his shirt on as his morally-bankrupt hero learns some valuable lessons and, naturally, he is the last to acknowledge that Garner's goody-two-shoes is his perfect match.

Mark Waters's romantic comedy is misconceived from the moment the supernatural elements create abrupt shifts between slapstick and tearful confession. Strip away the otherworldly dramatic device and there are some lovely interludes here, including a monologue from groom-to-be Paul defending his brother's honour.

Climactic scenes after the womaniser's moment of self-realisation a la Scrooge are equally moving. Yet, to savour the good you have to wade through a lot of sentimental dross.

DVD Extras: Additional scenes, theatrical trailer; Blu-ray: additional scenes, 3 "Behind The Story" clips, theatrical trailer.

Rating: Two out of five.

Observe And Report (Cert 15, 82 mins, Warner Home Video, Comedy, also available to buy DVD £15.99/Blu-ray £26.99) Starring: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Ray Liotta, Celia Weston, Michael Pena, Matt and John Yuan, Jesse Plemons, Dan Bakkedahl, Randy Gambill.

Ronnie Barnhardt (Rogen) always dreamed of wearing a police uniform, but he failed the psychiatric evaluation. So his entire life is now Forest Ridge Mall, where he is the dictatorial head of security. When a flasher (Gambill) terrorises female customers, Ronnie assembles a crack team comprising the other security guards - Dennis (Pena) and the Yuen twins (Matt and John Yuan) - and Charles (Plemons), who works on the door of one of the restaurants.

Mall manager Mark (Bakkedahl) calls in Detective Harrison (Liotta), who quickly undermines Ronnie's misplaced authority. Then the flasher targets make-up counter girl Brandi (Faris), the object of Ronnie's affections, and the assignment becomes deeply personal.

Observe And Report will shock viewers who fell in love with Rogen as the adorable loser in Pineapple Express and Zack & Miri Make A Porno. There's nothing remotely endearing about his character, and we don't feel sorry for Ronnie when he asks his drunken mother, "You think it was my fault Dad left?", and she replies, "Definitely". Faris plays a cold-hearted bitch rather than her usual ditzy blonde, and Celia Weston scene-steals as the brutally honest, boozy momma with loose morals.

The humour is very dark, so black in fact that it ceases to be funny and makes us squirm in our seat as the script crudely pushes the boundaries of good taste. Date rape, alcoholism, mental illness, xenophobia and drug abuse aren't laughing matters, but writer-director Jody Hill evidently disagrees.

DVD Extras: Gag reel; Blu-ray: director and cast commentary, "Seth Rogen And Anna Faris: Unscripted" featurette, "Basically Training" featurette, Forest Ridge Mall - Security Recruitment Video, gag reel, deleted and alternative scenes.

Rating: Two out of five.