the buzz log

Given the continued Search interest, amusement parks will a Fourth of July weekend destination for many. Those headed to Orland's Magic Kingdom on Independence Day might want to stop by a revamped Hall of Presidents, where an animatronic Barack Obama—AKA Robobama—makes his debut.

Animatronics is, as HowStuffWorks puts it, a "mechanized puppet." The administration apparently is so tickled by this honor, the White House blog posted a "behind-the-scenes video" of the president reading the oath of office and a Disney-penned speech— tinkered a bit, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The Florida newspaper also reports that Obama's standing with good company (Abraham Lincoln) and represents the "most advanced figure," although "not a completely new generation." Who knew Disney imagineers were pundits?

Filed under: Amusement Parks, Disney, Presidents, Barack Obama

Forget red and blue states. This week at the Buzz Multiplex, the cheery Disney crowd will be commingling in the ticket lines with horror fans. Following a safe distance behind is Clint Eastwood's next Oscar hopeful, but that's not counting the Jolie factor.

1. "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (G). Without tallying up all the HSM hysteria, the cable-behemoth-turned-big-screen-spectacle would still rock the top movie spot. Add up all those lookups for the soundtrack, lyrics, premiere and tickets, though, and the Disney juggernaut boasts a two-fold lead and numbers (top 500 searches this week) that are in superhero blockbuster territory. For those who have successfully dodged the phenom and now are resigned to learning Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez's backstory, you can catch up on one and two here, and in Time's review. The (mostly under-17 female) fans already hankering for a fourth outing should go read, of all things, the Wall Street Journal's assessment.

2. "Saw V" (R). One thing this crowd has in common with the "HSM" kids—they're already ready for another go. This merry return to psychopathic fantasies lists Tobin Bell in the cast, although he died in "Saw IV" ... or did he? Oddly, movies in this genre don't usually get lookups for reviews, but maybe economic times dictate where money is best spent. According to opinions like the one from the New York Daily News critic, this version's not worth the admission price. Still, expect a healthy if twisted crowd given the huge Search interest (top 500) and the affection for actress Meagan Good.

3. "Changeling" (R, limited release). Director Clint Eastwood's latest thriller has been getting Oscar vibes since its Cannes Film Festival screening. The story's partly based on the so-called Wineville Chicken Coop Murders, focusing upon a missing boy's mother who accused the police of deliberately returning the wrong boy. Despite the Oscar glow, AP finds nuance missing in the "heavyweight drama," but Rolling Stone can't get enough of the "creative mojo" and the "force of nature" that is star Angelina Jolie. As for Jolie, she reaps more searches then every single movie opening this week, including her own. Now that's a force of nature.

Others sought out on the Buzz Marquee... "Pride and Glory" (R) pairs Edward Norton and Colin Farrell as diametrically opposed cops and brothers-in-law ... A bullied boy finds a friend in his neighbor, who happens to be a vampire, in "Let the Right One In" (limited) .... Bollywood animation teams up with Disney in "Roadside Romeo" (limited) who's a pampered dog that gets dumped in the mean streets.

Filed under: Movies, Horror, Musicals, Angelina Jolie, Disney

Who do you want to be when you grow up? Or, if you're already grown up, who would you rather be?

Identity play is one of the many other inhibition-busters that Halloween permits. And before you ask—no, despite being immersed in the election season, there's no strong interest in being the orator, foreign policy elder, warrior, or frontierswoman... just yet.

Popular culture, as usual, spurs the dress-up schemes. Last year, the rage included the rippling man-chests of "300" and the bubble-gum glow of "High School Musical." This year, traditional Disney and Star Wars themes dominate, but the unrelenting success of "Dark Knight" underscores Batman's role in the costume universe. Heath Ledger's mesmerizing take has made the villain the most-searched costume possibility, and may have inspired its female counterpart (number 14).

Literary and historical icons are a strong second tier, but an elusive creature has skulked back into 10th spot. Mull over who you want to be as we review the top 20 character costume searches in the past 30 days. And if you're too cheap to buy a costume, go as Michael Phelps or Misty May-Treanor... just start those ab crunches now.

Filed under: Holidays, Batman, Costumes, Halloween, Disney