the buzz log

Put some mutton chops and metal claws on the Sexiest Man Alive, and you have yourself one of the most anticipated movies of 2009.

The newly released trailer for Hugh Jackman's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is causing a stir on the Web. The pulses racing the most over the Wolverine backstory belong to guys 13-54: They make up 8 out of 10 searches for "wolverine trailer." Whence do most fervent fanboys hail? Utah. That's right, the Beehive State bristles with anticipation for an advance peek of the muscular mutant.

In a culture that can discuss books after reading the jacket, some critics have already judged the movie as a "crushing disappointment," with a "sleep walking" Jackman who's "buried in an avalance of iffy green screen work and animalistic sneering." Ouch, watch those claws. The blockbuster's "pedigree" (cast, scriptwriter, and director) does get an admiring glance, but given the mixed reviews (especially about a flying Jackman), the director might as well have used the actor's musical talents and gone for "Wolverine: The Musical."

While "Origins" has wrapped up most of the attention this week, other trailers have been whetting movie fan appetites for 2009—as listed below with the theatrical release dates. (Incidentally. "Spider-Man 4" isn't due out until 2011, but its lookups would've put the film at No. 9.)

Top 2009 Trailer Searches, Past 7 Days

1. Wolverine Trailer (Release date: May 1)
2. New Moon Trailer ("Twilight" sequel, Nov. 20)
3. Harry Potter Trailer ("Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," July 17)
4. Transformers 2 Trailer (June 26)
5. Dragonball Movie Trailer ("Dragonball Evolution," April 8)
6. Terminator Salvation Trailer (May 22)
7. 2012 Trailer (July 10)
8. Star Trek Trailer (May 8)
9. G.I. Joe Trailer (Aug. 7)
10. Watchmen Trailer (Mar. 6)