The above video made my DAY. I love Tobey Maguire, he’s so angry and brooding.

Seriously, I saw a brief shot of him at a Lakers game during the playoffs and MAN, did he looked PISSED that the cameras were focused on him. I find it both amusing and kind of sad that some celebrities can’t accept the price they must pay for fame. I am not blaming Tobey for being pissed, seriously, but the dude needs to lighten the eff up. Life’s too short to get so worked up over such silliness.

So here’s a little something for you Tobey, from my favorite film Stripes.

Via the incredibly hilarious MK at DListed.

The second installment in the Marvel Comics Fantastic Four series is set to be released in theaters on Jun 15, The Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer.

This is the summer for blockbusters with several big movies coming out over the course of the summer including Pirates of The Caribbean: At World’s End set for release this Thursday, May 24th just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, Harry Potter and The Order Of The Phoenix July 13th (the world premier is set for Jun 28th in Tokyo) and the new Fantastic Four nestled in the middle of these likely box office blockbusters.

The first FF was ok by “comic book” to “big screen” standards. It filled all the requirements of setting up the origin of how our superheroes Mr. Fantastic aka Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd), The Thing aka Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis), The Human Torch aka Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) and of course, The Invisible Woman aka Susan Storm (Jessica Alba) get their powers - as well as their arch-nemesis - Dr. Doom aka Dr. Victor von Doom (Julian McMahon).

A “cosmic storm” (a full blast of intense radiation - it’s Marvel, what’d you expect) is the catalyst for the genetic mutations that transform the team of scientists and pilots. The original comic series, the four of them minus Dr. Doom, attempt a risky space trip to test our Reed’s latest invention, a space exploration starship. Faced with bankruptcy after spending all his inheritance working on his aeronautical inventions, Reed made a last ditch effort and asked two pilots, the quiet and gentle Ben Grimm, and the hotshot Johnny Storm to help him pilot his craft, along with his former flame (and older sister to Johnny) genetic scientist Susan Storm to accompany him on a mission in an attempt to keep his government backing for the project (gee that sounds familiar, see Green Goblin/Harry Osborn).

As we know, the cosmic storm bombards them with radiation and instead of dying a ghastly death, they are instead transformed into supercool superheroes: with the power to stretch, there’s Mr. Fantastic, the power to be really strong and durable, The Thing, the power to fly and create supernova strength heat, Human Torch and the power to turn invisible and create otherworldly force fields, Invisible Woman.

But wait, there’s more…

Spider-Man 3 broke the record for ticket sales in its opening weekend, making an estimated $375 million worldwide. Considering the cost of the film was close to $500 million, it seems certain the film will break even and likely set more records. The test will be how people react to having seen the film and if the mixed reviews will keep on-the-fence movie goers from seeing it.

The critics have been panning the film for a variety of failures, including an all too emotional cast with everyone shedding a tear (including villians) Kirsten Dunst singing (twice!), a fair number of convoluted plot devices and a seemingly cramped story-line filled with too much going on. All of that is true, but even still - I found it still very much worth seeing.

My kids, ages 3 and 7, loved it. My daughter cried at the end (spoilers ahead, so beware) and my son who is possibly the biggest Spidey freak on earth was mostly able to sit still for the entire 2-hour+ film: no small feat for a 3-year old.

Sam Raimi, who’s been getting some heat for some of the over-the-top scenes in the latest installment in the Spider-Man series, needs to be cut some major slack. Unlike movie critics and your average movie-goer, we are a family submersed in comic books and the superhero/villain lore. I grew up on “origin stories” with a dad who collected comic books. So even with our “slightly above average level of Spider-Man sophistication” we were able to see the movie for what it was meant to be: a fantasy engagement with our inner child.

But that doesn’t mean they stayed true to the story(ies).

***Spoiler Warning***
But wait, there’s more…

Rush and Malloy are reporting that Jake Gyllenhaal is slated to reprise the role of  DC comic superhero Captain Marvel of “Shazam!” fame, from the popular 70’s kid’s show of the same name.  This Captain Marvel is not to be confused with Marvel Comics “Captain Marvel.”  Due to copyright and trademark issues, DC Comics can’t market under the Captain Marvel name, so Shazam and Captain Marvel have become synonmous in the DC world.

If true, Gyllenhaal will be reprising the role of Captain Marvel for New Line, whose alter-ego is radio reporter Billy Batson. Billy, a young man, would obtain his super powers from the wizard Shazam, which would transform him through a bolt of lightening into an adult with the powers of six legendary figures. How cool is that?!

The article states that New Line is ready to spend $200 million on the film and director Peter Segal hopes to quickly “nab” Gyllenhaal before Sam Raimi does for the continued adventures of Spider-Man.  There is speculation that Maguire is ready to retire his role in the Spider-Man movies, despite his oddly huge popularity playing the webbed hero.  Maybe he’s just sick of looking at the Kikster.  He wouldn’t be alone.

Come to think of it, didn’t Jake once date Kirsten Dunst?  Very interesting.  Moving on…
But wait, there’s more…