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Vincent Rocca 2012-05-22 07:36:15

It's just a really bad movie.

It completely misses its mark and audience. This is supposed to be achick flick; therefore it should have characters that are empowering towomen. Instead this is filled with the weakest women this side of asheiks harem. It is insulting to women and completely demeans them.Spoiler alertI was most surprised by Jennifer Garner's character. For 7 seasons sheplayed the strong kick ass Sydney Bristow, I would have thought shecould spot a weak character. Also Jennifer's character is hardly astarring role, but more of a prop ready to serve the wants of MatthewMcConaughey's character.We are lead to believe that Jennifer and Matthew were childhoodsweethearts (that never kissed) who lost touch at 14 then reconnectedat 24 when he not only breaks her heart but actually destroys her.He courts her, she falls for him, then after sex he bails and neverspeaks to her again. Years later he is the best man and she is the maidof honor at his brothers wedding. When she gets her first glimpse ofhim (after years of silence), she is all glassy eyed and love struck.The rest of the movie she pines for him. There is no big moment whereshe unleashes on him. There is no big moment where she realizes he isthe one for her. She apparently has been waiting in the wings for himto realize she is the one.The character played by Lacey Chabert is a bridezilla who is unable tocontrol herself and her emotions. Thankfully the three men in her lifeare there to knock sense back in her.The three bridesmaids are dimwits pining to sleep with Matthew and whenthat fails they scrape the bottom of the barrel groomsmen because theyjust need a man.The only strong female character is the mother of the bride played byAnne Archer. She goes toe to toe with Mathew and puts him in his place.But what is his place? Why is it assumed that a guy who lives life as aplayer lives an empty life? Matthew was blissfully enjoying his lifeuntil the ghosts started pointing out his flaws. And we all have flaws.Not like this guy was date raping girls.You could claim he mistreated women but he never hid that and the womenin the movie like it, so he's got their approval. He breaks up with 3girls on a conference call in front of a fourth girl and after such adespicable act, the fourth girl still wants to sleep with him.In another scene he orders a bridesmaid to his room to prepare for sex,she happily obliges. Why does that make him flawed?Before the ghosts show up he is living a pretty happy life. He getspaid well, loves his job and he loves women. Later we learn that helived to a ripe old age, so his antics never killed him.Speaking of his funeral, the scene is laughable. Only one person shows?Please! He was great at his job, a top fashion photographer, and was ahero to all the Players. His funeral would be filled with people.They try to portray him as a mean ass, because he supposedly gets drunkand shares his real feelings about marriage. The scene is out of hischaracter. Prior to this he says with affection that he wouldn't misshis little brothers wedding, now he's saying mean things about thewedding to everyone? Remember this guy is a high paid professionalphotographer, he is not a stumbling drunk who just left his blue collarjob on the loading docks.Then they try to make it seem like he ruined the wedding by telling onebridesmaid that another bridesmaid once slept with the groom. After thethree bridesmaids discuss it, we're dropped into a scene with ahysterical bride who just found out. Matthew was nowhere near thatscene and couldn't have told her, therefore one of the bridesmaids musthave told her. So it was the bridesmaids that ruined the wedding NOTMatthew.Finally there is the photograph that he has apparently been caring inhis wallet his whole life (yet it isn't folded). Earlier the plot pointof the photo is forced down our throat, in a way that negates the finalreveal. With the ghost of the past, he sees himself as a child take thephoto, he (as an adult) knows it's in his pocket, so he'd beembarrassed about it and wouldn't call attention to the child saying"forever." Yet he does. Why? Oh yeah, to force the point down ourthroats.Oh and when he's taking pictures at the wedding. The Nikon flash neverpops up. Such a believable photographer!

2012-05-21 12:33:18

Same old, same old

This review is from: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (DVD) I think Matthew McConaghy (while he's one of my favorites) has outgrown these types of parts. This particular movie is a little off the wall. There wasn't much "meat" to the story at all. Just a waste of time.

2012-05-19 23:02:12

The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

A bachelor goes to his younger brother's wedding, where he is visited by the ghosts of his past girlfriends. It was funny, had a good story and plot, the characters were believable and overall it told a good story on a very worn out theme, a Christmas Carol. The first ghost was funny too.

nama chakravorty 2012-05-19 08:05:19

Strictly Time-Pass....

Mark Waters is a able storyteller and his latest flick 'Ghosts OfGirlfriends Past' proves that.Please don't tune in this film, with having gargantuan expectations.The film is entertaining, strictly time-pass. After watching the film,all you remember is that the time you spend on it went away well. AnAverage fare! The story concerns a womanizing bachelor and high profile photographer(Matthew McConaughey) with a disdain for marriage. As his littlebrother is about to walk down the aisle, Connor (McConaughey) attendsjust as an old childhood flame (Jennifer Garner) enters his life toattend the wedding, Connor finds himself in the most unusual ofcircumstances. He's visited by his late uncle (Michael Douglas), whowas Connor's role model for womanizing back in the day, to warn hisnephew of three visits from the past, present and future in the form ofhis ex-girlfriends. It's Connor's plight that he'll learn a thing ortwo about love and the possibility of second chances.The idea is interesting, and the filmmaker handles it adequately.Acting wise: Matthew McConaughey does a good job, he does very well inthe emotional portions. Jennifer Garner looks good, as ever and does afine job. Emma Stone, Noureen DeWulf, Breckin Meyer & Lacey Chabert areefficient in their roles. Michael Douglas is fantastic. And it's trulya pleasure watching the veteran deliver a stylish performance fromstart to end.on the whole, this one is a decent one-time watch.

mm-39 2012-05-19 02:35:01

Not a bad movie.

Not a bad movie, but I have to watch it another time. I thinks a secondviewing will give me a better opinion. The story is a bit weak but Matis a good actor and makes the film better. Mike D as uncle Wayne addsmuch comic relief. We see that Uncle Wayne should have never brought upkids, and this is the thesis which drives the story. I would wait andrent the movie or Video on demand it. The movie is not for kids. Iwould give Ghosts of girlfriends past a six out of ten. Maybe, I wouldlike the movie on a second viewing. I found the characters a little tosleazy for my liking. There was not very likable character in thisfilm.

2012-05-18 12:17:43

movie

This movie was good only because of the actors within it. otherwise the story is cheesy and over done. but a mediocre mathew movie is still worth a watch. thanks for the speedy delivery.

AliAkbar01 2012-05-18 01:15:24

Not that bad!

Seriously what did you really expect from this movie its a romanticcomedy! I'm so angry because everyone destroys this movie for noreason. I'm no big fan of McConaughey but in this movie i really felthe was himself the big lady charmer. Garner was absolutely fantasticshe was awesome and beautiful. Now what i think about the movie. Thiswas an enjoyable funny movie, not an academy award film but certainly amovie to watch. You don't need to be a big fan of Mattew McConaughey tosee this movie, but it would helps. Little to no surprises in the plot,but then who ever sees romantic comedy for the plot? I had some goodlaugh. These two have great chemistry and are just amazing to watch. Asthe story unfolds you will laugh and cry at the brilliance of such anamazing storyline. A must see!!

2012-05-17 08:24:57

What the Dickens?

Why do women always go for the "bad boys"?The character "Connor" in this film is a clear,no committment,serial womaniser, and yet has no trouble bedding women on his own terms. And this is not just a hollywood fantasy,as there are too many examples of this in real life. Even the gorgeous Sandra Bullock, who is not stupid, married a complete ass in real life, and then was humiliated completely as the stories of his infidelity and prediliction for tattoed strippers and pornstars came to light.In this film, we have Connor enjoying relationships with women on his own terms.But, before we think too badly of him, we must not forget what caused him to behave this way.He used to be a nice boy,shy, well behaved and respectful of women.But, at the school dance, his girl breaks his heart and humiliates him by going off to dance with an older "bad boy" teen with whom she publicly shares her first kiss.Destroyed, Connor resolves never to be put into that situation again.And his uncle shows him how.And the girl who did this to him is none other than the Jennifer Garner character who now looks down on him from her snooty heights because of his behaviour.Funny how she forgot about her behaviour that put him onto this path in the first place.But, ladies, it was you who made him like this in the first place.

2012-05-10 01:28:13

Waste of time

This movie was severely disappointing. I rented it because I was in the mood for a good romantic comedy. This movie was very crude, not funny at all and not even romantic. I wish I hadn't seen it.

2012-05-09 15:20:14

Cute Movie

This review is from: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (DVD) Okay, so this isn't the greatest movie ever made, but it's worth watching just to see Matthew McConaughey! Based on lessons learned from his uncle, he's a "player" who can't stick with one woman for very long. The ghosts of three of his previous relationships appear and set him straight. It has some funny parts and overall it was pretty good. Although I can't say I love it, I'll watch it again.

Sirus_the_Virus 2012-05-05 00:30:37

Better than expected.

Ghost's of girlfriend's past was a film that I thought I was going tohate. The trailer it self looked retarded. Well, I saw it and it wasactually a bit better than I expected it to be. I just had a fewproblems with the film. I didn't like Matthew Mconaghay because he is amajor whopping douche bag in this film. Also, I wasn't quite convincedabout the chemistry between Mconaghay and Jennifer Garner. Also, Ithought that some of the moments in the film were a bit cheesy. Butother than those things, I enjoyed Ghosts of girlfriend's past. Therewere good performances by Emma Stone, and Michael Douglas. Douglas hada few unnecessary scenes. Anyways, I will get to the story plot. Mconaghay plays Connor Mead, a womanizer who travels down to hisbrother's(Breckin Meyer) wedding. While there, he runs into his oldfling Jenny(Jennifer Garner). While there, the ghost of his deaduncle(Michael Douglas) tells him that he will be visited by threeghosts. I am not going to go into any more of the plot, because if youhave seen all of those Christmas carol films, you know what willhappen. The film is also predictable. As I forgot to mention. I didn't exactly love Ghosts of girlfriend's past. But I will admit it,I liked it more than Fools Gold. Mconaghay is a jerk in this film. Howcan a film survive if you don't even like the main character? Itusually couldn't, but like in A Christmas carol, the dude pulls throughin the end. I think that the film was funny, though flawed. I think youshould rent Ghosts of girlfriends past. Ghost's of girlfriend's past:**1/2 out of ****

Howlin Wolf 2012-05-04 14:40:05

The Ghost of Multiple Interpretation...

First, a bugbear turned rant of mine, as this seemed as good a forum asany: Multiple interpretation is dead in the minds of the HollywoodViewer, it seems...People are complaining because they see the title of the movie andexpect *one* thing; if they don't receive that one thing, then they'regoing to trash the movie, no matter how they might feel about whateverit is that happens to have been served up to them, instead. Cinemas arenot restaurants, you don't get your movie made to order, like you woulda food dish.It doesn't say ONLY Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, it just says'Ghosts'... and some of them were.Also, being dead is not the single connotation of being a ghost... Youknow when someone turns up who hasn't been around for a long time, andwho you really don't want to see? Sometimes that person will say "Youlook like you've seen a ghost!"; i.e. bad memories are coming back toyou... All of his previous conquests are in part bad memories becauseof the way he treated them. It doesn't therefore signify that they allHAVE to be dead - No; people just like to be literal rather than thinkabout what the writers might have been going for (whether you think itWORKED, is another matter!)I just don't get why, when people hated a movie, the first thing theydo is use plot holes to criticise it; artistic licence exists so thatpeople can shape stories however they want. If you hated the tone orthe message of a movie, that's much more understandable, because it'smore representative of the overall product.It was an OK movie. I'm not defending this one in particular, but it'sa general point that can be transposed to any film.For what it's worth, my observations that relate specifically to thisfilm are that the Dickens template doesn't give the movie a whole lotof room to breathe, but I really bought into McConaughey's interactionwith Garner, and liked how they played off of one another. It's yourtypical romantic comedy tarted up by using a classic as dressing, butthe performers at least try.Plus, any comedy that has the guts to end on a 'ephebophile ghost' jokedeserves at least some form of mild recognition, from me!

DICK STEEL 2012-05-04 12:59:48

A Nutshell Review: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

For those who have played the field and sown some wild oats aroundtown, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past might be a walk down a personal memorylane into why nothing lasts longer than possibly that first, genuinerelationship. There are reasons abound why some are either commitmentfreaks, or just plainly wanting to chalk up a list of conquests to showoff, and for top fashion photographer Connor Meat, erm I mean Mead(Matthew McConaughey), it's a run from responsibility, and the fear ofnever ever wanting to be hurt again.I'm pretty sure many who have gone through a break-up would admit tohaving it leave some bad aftertaste, that you'd just want the upperhand the next time around when dealing with that painful, negativeemotion, should and if it happens. Call it insurance, or the hardeningof the heart, and if you're to subscribe to the tips shared in thisfilm, it's preaching to love a little less if you're to walk awayunscathed. This does not apply to those who are for the notion of truelove, happiness and that institution called Marriage, and for a filmwhose protagonist celebrates and actually enjoys his freedom andsinglehood, it ends with a cop-out smack in the face.The trailer would have pretty much shown everything you need to knowabout the plot. For the ultimate swinger in Connor, nothing is worsethan having to attend the wedding of his brother Paul (Breckin Meyer)as his best man, to toast during a ceremony he won't touch with a tenfoot pole. Making it worse of course is the attendance of the only girlhe has ever had genuine feelings for, his childhood and firstgirlfriend Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner). Then comes the wholeshebang of A Christmas Carol proportions where Connor is visited by hisdead uncle, Wayne (Michael Douglas), responsible for imparting histechniques to getting laid, who tells him that he'll be visited bythree ghosts before the night is up. And for the home run, it's adetermination if Connor would become a changed person and end up withthe girl of his dreams (the future ghost did look hot though).Those expecting comedy, you'll be disappointed as the jokes come offrather half-baked, making fun of best mens as nerds and bridesmaids whoare horny all the time. Then there's the future father-in-law in warveteran Sergeant Volkom (Robert Forster) and his ex-wife Vonda (AnneArcher) whom Connor tries to hit (no women too young or old it seems).Those in for romance, unfortunately both McConaughey and Garner exhibitno sparks nor chemistry, perhaps the latter being all settled alreadyas a real mom, that she's miscast as the mid-30-something still outthere looking for love, and holding a candle for her childhood friend.Director Mark Waters would be an old hand at handling ghostlyapparitions in a romantic comedy, after all he had dealt with ResseWhiterspoon and Mark Ruffalo in Just Like Heaven. But his only savinggrace in this movie with little surprises, is that of Michael Douglas'performance as the old-swinger Uncle Wayne, hamming it up as the adultversion of Will Smith's Hitch, but with some pluses in not just wantingto establish that first hello, but going all the way for that one nightstand, sharing some tips and tricks that you probably might just getlucky with. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past turns out to be a misnomer, as Emma Stonegets to represent the countless of faceless, nameless women that Connorgets down with. As a date movie it's pretty formula, made worse by itstaking a leaf from A Christmas Carol. The only element that kept meentertained, was the blast from the past moments complete with anexcellent soundtrack to bring back those 80s and 90s nostalgia. See ifyou can spot the track 6 Underground by The Sneaker Pimps, and TimeAfter Time by Cyndi Lauper, amongst others.

Aimee S 2012-05-03 17:41:25

Ronchy to the core

I was so incredibly disappointed with this movie. I absolutely LOVE Jen Garner, and Matthew McConaghey, but the overtone of totally putrid sexual innuendos completely ruined anything that was cute about this movie. It was rated PG-13, and I would NEVER take my 13 year-old to something like this. Not to mention it was demeaning and dirty to women. Horrible. Matthew and Jennifer, I'm totally diappointed with your terrible choice to participate in such filth.

Marilyn 2012-05-02 06:21:58

Great date movie!

This movie will make you laugh and make you cry because not only is it a comedy, it really has a warm-hearted message which just makes you feel good! Michael Douglas is fun and of course it's a fine sight to see Matthew McConaughey even though he's rarely shirtless this time. Guys, take your girls or see it on your own and learn something about us and you, too. Have fun!!

newmommy 2012-05-01 23:03:42

Grade: F- The WORST Film I've Ever Seen!!!!

The world's FIRST misogynistic chick flick. The cast must have been desperate for money as this was a total embarrassment. McConaughey was completely ridiculous. Matt -- get better material or retire. Gardner looked pathetic as a bridesmaid in a wedding where she's 15 years older than the bride. Michael Dougles... What were you thinking?! Horrible!!!! Ewwwwwwwwwwwww. And..... Ann Archer... yet another victim of BAD PLASTIC SURGERY.The script had absolutely NO MERIT. The director and writer should be shot. At a time in Hollywood where dozens of good scripts can't find funding, the studios are wasting valuable resources putting out JUNK like this. SHAME ON YOU!

tedg 2012-05-01 03:48:29

Wedding Dresses

This trivial thing — yes even this — has a marvelous scene in it. It is the scene directly after being visited by the third ghost. Thisis where a production designer earns his/her money. This is a DAT moviein the regular form. That means that certain things have to happen,including the love-notlove-love cycle, the public dramatic penultimateevent and at the very end: a wedding. That wedding has to be a white and tearful, as celebratory andsatisfactory as possible. There are a few conventions that must,absolutely must be followed and among them is the wedding dress.Usually there isn't much flexibility that a designer has here and muchis determined by the era and the target demo.But in this case, we have a ghost who appears. She happens to lead tothe wedding that might have happened, the love in question to anotherguy. Naturally, she wears a gown less romantic in this dream weddingthan in the payoff one at the end. What may not be obvious to you ifyou have not seen this is that this ghost — the ghost of girlfriendsfuture — who gets to wear the reference wedding dress that allows youto emboss extra emotion on the dress at the end.This reference dress, the one the ghost wears, provides the advantageof special effects. It can sparkle like snow, have smoke-like lace, andbe lifted against gravity with a magical lightness. Because we are notconfined to a church, or any real location, we can have shots that youcannot otherwise have. Here we have an overhead shot where he isfollowing her train from a winter landscape into fall. That wintersnow, if I recall correctly, is the "snow" of all his used condoms. It isn't anything that will go in the books. But it shows that theseromance movies are highly engineered products, and that this productiondesigner knew her stuff cinematically and understood the moving partsinvolved.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do withthis part of your life.

Van Roberts 2012-04-30 09:46:56

Lack of Charisma Between McConaughey and Garner Does In "Ghosts"

"The Spiderwick Chronicles" director Mark Waters helmed this highlyamusing, "Scrooge" type spin on romance. Scenarists Jon Lucas and ScottMoore of "The Hangover" furnish some frankly hilarious dialogue.Arrogant playboy bachelor photographer, Connor Mead (MatthewMcConaughey of "Failure to Launch"), dumps three women during aconference call when he feels that they are complicating his lifestyle.Our protagonist thinks love is a myth. He opposes marriage on anygrounds later to his childhood sweetheart Jenny Perotti (JenniferGarner of "Juno") when they collide with each other again at thewedding rehearsal dinner for his kid brother Paul (Breckin Meyer of"Road Trip") and future wife Sandra (Lacey Chabert of "BlackChristmas") in Newport.As far as Connor sees it, "marriage is an archaic and oppressiveinstitution that should have been abolished years ago." As for love,Connor reviles it as "magical comfort food for the weak and theuneducated. Furthermore, he insists "love leaves you weak, dependent,and fat." A bespectacled Michael Douglas enters the action about 18minutes later steals the show as Connor's recently deceased UncleWayne. Connor is standing in the men's room when Uncle Waynematerializes at a urinal and relieves himself. When Connor tries totouch him to prove that Uncle Wayne is only a figment of hisimagination, Uncle Wayne shrinks away from him: "Don't touch a man whenhe is hanging a wire." The worldly, wise, but very dead Uncle Wayne hasreturned to help Connor mend his ways. "Tonight," he informs Connor,"things are gonna change." Uncle Wayne explains: "Tonight you're goingto be visited by three ghosts." Wayne assures Connor, "and you're goingto be forced to feel things that you haven't felt for a long time."Later, when Connor goes to his bedroom for a rendezvous, he findsred-headed Allison Vandermeersh (Emma Stone of "Superbad") waiting forhim. Allison was Connor's first sexual score. She tells Connor sheplans to take him back through allhis past girlfriends and help himfigure out how he got his head stuck so far up his hindquarters. Welearn that Jenny gave Connor his first camera, and Connor's pursuit andinitial loss of Jenny prompted him to seek advice from Uncle Wayne.Years later Connor hooks up with Jenny and makes the mistake of notsnuggling with her after sex. He sneaks off into the night and shedoesn't speak to him again until ten years afterward when they meet atPaul's wedding. Not sooner has Allison--the ghosts of girlfriendspast--left him than his girl Friday Melanie (Noureen De Wulf of "TheGoods: Live Hard, Sell Hard") appear as the ghost of girlfriendspresent. The real problem with "The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" is thatMcConaughey and Jennifer Garner lack charismatic chemistry as a couple.This is basically a conservative, Republican style stab at marriagethat spouts anti-gay ideology. The wedding cake scene is funny andMcConaughey is well cast as a callous stud with lots of eye-candy babesparading around him. Lacey Chabert is good as the bride who is marryingMcConaughey's brother. The action transpires during a snowy weekend forour hero's brother's wedding. As Marine Sergeant Volkom, Robert Forsterof "Jackie Brown" plays the bride's father who marries his daughter,and Anne Archer still looks mighty fetching as his divorced wife VondaVolkom.

2012-04-26 09:01:28

BAH! HUMBUG!!

This review is from: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (Amazon Instant Video) Wow, I'm sorry Jennifer Garner had any part in this. In the future, Matthew McConaughey should stay in action flicks where all he needs to do is grunt and sweat. No more dialog and absolutely no more attempts at emotional or romantic roles. I really liked him in TipToes but that was a long time ago.

2012-04-25 19:20:30

I LOVED THIS MOVIE!

I thought this was a really good romantic comedy and had a great storyline. Conner Mead is a ladies man, and wants nothing to do with marriage. When he goes for his younger brother's wedding, the night before he meets his original girlfriend, Jenny who doesn't want anything to do with him. That night, he is visited by 3 ghosts who show him his relationships he's had in the past, present, and not-too-promising future. Unless Conner changes his ways, he will end up alone with no one who loves him. Will Connor try to fix the present to save his future? I highly recommend GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST!!!