the buzz log

Three hitherto untouched movies (untouched by critics denied previews that is) skulk their way into the Buzz Multiplex. Could this be why favorably reviewed "Traitor"—stocked with power actors Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce—opted for a Wednesday advance, the better to avoid the stench of decaying plots?

Besides the triple threat, "Mamma Mia: Sing-Along Edition" opens in select theaters. As for the unscreened triplets, not only are their plots stale, the stories behind the films and actors may be more interesting. 

1. "Disaster Movie" (PG-13). From the minds behind "Epic Movie," "Meet the Spartans" and the "Scary Movie" franchise comes yet another chance for Carmen Electra to have a movie role. Electra's Search buzz, though, is dwarfed by co-star Kim Kardashian. Carmen does hold her own against Vanessa Minnillo. One New Orleans critic, however, isn't laughing over the premiere date, which coincides with Hurricane Katrina's anniversary.

2. "Babylon A.D." (PG-13). Vin Diesel stars a mercenary killer hired to transport Melanie Thierry to New York. Thierry may hold mankind's future in her fate, but she gets less buzz than her other guardian, played by Michelle Yeoh. Radioactive wastelands and human smugglers may be signs of the apocalypse, but when a director hates his own movie, that's just a bad sign all-around. French director Mathieu Kassovitz has been complaining about a gutless Fox studio interfering in his production.

3. "College" (R). Will Nick fans be ready for a nearly grown-up, yakking-in-the-bowl Drake Bell? He stars as one of three high school kids crashing a weekend college frat party. In an Los Angeles Times interview, the former "Drake & Josh" star gives off a very different, serious persona, especially when he alludes to his near-death experience and scolds Miley Cyrus as a poor role model. The other castmate generating interest is Kevin "Chicken Little" Covais. He was cut just before making the "American Idol" Top 10 in 2006, but he instead landed this, um, dream role. Not to worry: Covais says he can always go for sportscasting if this acting thing doesn't work out.