the buzz log

Yin-yang rules the Buzz Multiplex this week in another double-release, as well-intentioned assassins face down a lovable trash compactor. This could get ugly-cute.

1. "Wanted" (R). The massive Angelina Jolie appeal has been probed at length, so let us move on to why else the "brotherhood of assassins" might have a killer box-office weekend. For one thing, Russian-Kazakh director Timur Bekmambetov brings his cult-following cred. Besides Jolie, star power also glows in Search for James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Common, and Kristen Hager. Finally, while Newsweek calls the film's "overamped style... oppressive," outlets like Rolling Stone unashamedly embrace the addictive trash.

2. " Wall-E" (G). A strong second, but the animated entry could pull in the bigger audience this weekend, given critical superlatives: AP says "boldest," Roger Ebert adds "enthralling," and the Hollywood Reporter says the Oscar race can now begin. The excitement has also spurred searches for the entire Pixar library, especially "Ratatouille" and "Cars." Overall searches aren't in the same league as Iron Man's pre-premiere following, but the family movie of the week still hovers near the top 1,000 searches.