the buzz log

Most Searched Movies on Yahoo!, Opening This Weekend

1. "Crank: High Voltage" (R)
2. "17 Again" (PG-13)
3. "State of Play" (PG-13)

Political thriller "State of Play" may be the most thoughtful offering, and "17 Again" star Zac Efron may be prettier to look at than "Crank" lead Jason Statham (judging from the tenfold lead the boy's got in searches on Yahoo! over the past week). But, Statham's the one who is bringing the action to the Buzz Multiplex. Scenes unscreened, "Crank: High Voltage" pulls in double the Search interest of Efron's memory-lane re-do.

Profile of a He-Man
So what is it about Statham that draws panting parallels to being "a force of nature" and "the world's biggest B-movie star"? That his equal-opportunity (45% female/55% male split in "jason statham" searches) makes him the perfect date-movie compromise? That the former perfume seller's is searched along with peers like Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Josh Duhamel and Eric Bana? That when he complains about doing a sex scene, men actually weep and form Statham "Simulated Sex is Hard" support groups? (Ok, maybe just weep. Quietly.)

Yes, his movies of late require a brain-check at the door (Statham himself reviews his highs and lows with EW). But the Washington Times describes his potency as "the rakish European suave of Sean Connery, the cocky confidence of a rap star, the martial-arts skills of Jet Li, the receding hairline of Bruce Willis," updated for an Xbox generation.

Check out Television Without Pity's wish list of remakes that Statham should do. Our addition: Wesley Snipes' classic "To Wong Foo." Who wouldn't want to see Statham do a turning side kick in a nice dress and heels? Weigh in with your own Statham star vehicle, below.