the buzz log

Come online leaks or swine-flu (aka HINI) delays, the blockbuster season has begun with a mutant thud. The "X-Men" start doesn't inspire quite the same online delirium as "Iron Man" provoked last year, but hey, these are tough times and audiences are gladly taking what they get.

Should a hairy mutant with an attitude problem not pull in the zillions that Hollywood wants, more awe-inspiring, gaudier-than-life opportunities await in the Buzz Multiplex. Here are the Friday releases people have been following the most online:

Top 5 Anticipated Blockbusters on Yahoo!, past 30 days

1. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (June 24). A collision of gadget lovers, auto aficionados, and movies-that-go-boom fans, and you get one word: robogasm.


2. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (May 1). The comic built a legion of fans, so interest remains high despite having their faith tested with a "clanky mess." Plus Hugh Jackman gets naked.


3. "Star Trek" (May 8). Geek richter scale is off the charts, as Trekkers scour the Search universe for the ships, androids, and beings. A prequel's the right move to get young viewing blood: Right now, mostly interest hails from guys 25-54.


4. "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" (July 15). Will the bespectacled wizard still wield his broomstick power in these "Twilight" times? The core Potter cult are teens (they make 25% of the title's searches), but fandom ranges from preteens to 40something (not to mention a healthy coed mix). That makes Potter's outing the teen-hangout/family-bonding/date-movie triple threat of summer.


5. "G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra" (Aug. 7). The WWII action figure was born in the Vietnam era, and now the Joes come to life when the country remains embroiled in two overseas conflicts. But, that might be too much thought for a simple fact: Grown-up boys (especially 25-44) love toys come to life, and the cast is rock solid.

And to round up to 10...

6. "Terminator Salvation" (May 21)
7. "Angels & Demons" (May 15)
8. "Up" (May 29)
9. "Bruno" (July 10)
10. "Year One" (June 19)