Observe and Report - C-

On DVD and Blu-ray

Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie Barnhardt, a medicated, unbalanced mall security guard who has huge delusions of grandeur and a temper to match. When a flasher exposes himself to Brandi, a perfume counter employee (and Ronnie's object of desire), Ronnie vows to find the perpetrator to win her over. The real cops (led by Ray Liotta) get tired of Ronnie's interference and decide to have fun with him. Written and directed by Jody Hill, the film shares the same "comedic" stylings as Hill's HBO series Eastbound & Down with abrasive characters stating stupid obvious things and demanding undeserved attention and respect. But with a bigger budget, Hill manages to waste good music and great actors . . .

Seth Rogen seems to be channelling the Danny McBride character on Eastbound & Down, unable to find anything honest in the lame writing. As Brandi, Anna Faris has some humorous line deliveries, but Ray Liotta has a tough time fitting in (he seems to be in a different movie). The movie does get points for unpredictability and Michael Pena gives an inspired turn as one of Rogen's colleagues. The film heavily references Taxi Driver toward the end with Rogen's voice over narration promising violence as he lifts weights. But the plot unfolds incoherently with scenes barely connecting to the one that preceded them. Hill seems more interested in setting up funny situations than a film that works. Alas, most of the situations are not funny, not least of which is the climax - which has more male full frontal nudity than I've ever seen. C-