What the world is searching for...

the buzz log

Add to My Yahoo! View RSS Feed Add an Alert

Alien Invasion Video Stirs the Web

By Claudine Zap
Thu, July 02, 2009, 3:45 pm PDT
Alien Video Intrigues Internet
Alien Video Intrigues Internet

Okay, humans. This is not a drill. It's the summer movie season and the aliens are upon us: Time to pick a side.

The alien invasion flick "District 9" produced by Peter Jackson isn't out for another month. But a video warning of aliens on earth has hit the Web, sending humans searching for more details. You can see the "safety alert" video here. (Stick around to try out the video game, too.)

The documentary-style movie preview shows the aftermath of a non-human invasion into South Africa. Freaked-out humans speak directly into the camera about the fear of the alien life that's shacked up in the slums of their city. Seems that everyone can agree, the aliens should just pick up and go home. You can view the eerie trailer here.

One-day searches soared an other-worldly 262% for "district 9." Queries on other unearthly topics also peaked for "district 9 movie," "district 9 wiki," and "district 9 trailer." We assure you that we will also be monitoring the situation and will alert you should other signs of non-human invasions (or movies of said non-humans) appear. Buzz Log out.

Filed under: Movies, Movie Trailers

Buzz Multiplex: The Tale of John Dillinger

By Vera H-C Chan
Wed, July 01, 2009, 5:18 am PDT
A 1934 Arraignment of the Dillinger Gang (Dillinger's No. 4)
A 1934 Arraignment of the Dillinger Gang (Dillinger's No. 4)

Nothing better to start the hot days of July than with some Tommy gun action. Unfortunately, director Michael Mann's mediocrity streak may be continuing with "Public Enemies," which packs star power but no pow with critics. (Time, for instance, tosses in adjectives like "perfunctory," "wall-eyed," and "predictable.")

A misfire or not, the movie's already stirred up a Search homage of sorts for killer folk hero John Dillinger, AKA Public Enemy No. 1. The robber's exploits captured the fancy of 1930s reporters. 21st-century media is showing some aw-shucks enthusiasm for him as well.

The Beacon News sketches the farmboy's life before robbing banks, his notorious Indiana jailbreak, and a plastic surgery job that made the real Dillinger look far less pretty than acting alter-ego, Johnny Depp. Indy Star's going all out for its homeboy,, including an "interactive look into the man and the myth."

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's history doesn't romanticize Dillinger as much, but its bio includes a map of Dillinger landmarks. Not on that map: Dillinger's grave at Crown Hill Cemetery, which is on marker No. 4 because visitors keep chipping at the granite for souvenir pieces.

Less glorified is the South Carolina FBI agent that got Dillinger, among other high-profile criminal conquests. The State give some ink to Melvin Purvis, and even puts a question mark around his death in 1960. The Post & Courier, in a chat with the G-man's son and nephew, fingers a jealous J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI director, with ruining his star agent's life. Crime didn't pay during the Great Depression, but looks like justice didn't either.

Filed under: Movies, Crime

Reviewing Transformers 2

By Mike Krumboltz
Wed, June 24, 2009, 1:26 pm PDT

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" hits theaters today with all the subtlety of a drunken elephant. The "film" will surely rule the box office for some time, but not everyone will blindly fork over their cash. Amazingly, more than a few folks are searching on "transformers 2 reviews."

Critical responses vary.  E! Online gives the film an "A-," while Rolling Stone says it might be the worst film of the decade. Discriminating moviegoers can check out the Yahoo! Movies report card for opinions, both angry and fawning.

Filed under: Movies

Buzz Multiplex: Funniest Women This Summer

By Vera H-C Chan
Mon, June 22, 2009, 2:50 pm PDT

The reigning first lady of comedy cured the multiplex of "The Hangover" and got a box office personal best. Absence definitely made the hearts grow fonder for Sandra Bullock, who hasn't done a comedy in four years. But surely, in her absence, a barrel of funny ladies has filled the void?

Sort of, kind of, maybe. Overall, there's not a lot of starring or even secondary roles for comediennes in an otherwise powerful summer of comedy: As one young female Hollywood producer declares in a fascinating first-person article in The Wrap, "gender discrimination lives on."

Still, there are ladies out there representing (although the definition of comedienne has had to stretch a bit) and drawing buzz. Here, in a counterpart to the Funniest Men This Summer, are 10 of their better halves.

Top 10 Funnywomen This Summer Movie Season,
past 30 days based on Yahoo! searches

  1. Amy Adams ("Night at the Museum: The Battle of the Smithsonian, May 14" and "Julie & Julia" Aug. 7). Her turn as Amelia Earhart made her the blockbuster sequel standout, and her upcoming turn opposite Meryl Streep is prompting fans to search the Oscar nominee's past body of work (especially "Psycho Beach Party," "Enchanted," "Talladega Nights")... plus Catwoman rumors.
  2. Heather Graham ("The Hangover," June 5). The blonde really snagged audience attention way back with "Drugstore Cowboy" and "Boogie Nights." Her steady filmography's a mixed bag (but includes the underrated 2002 "The Guru"), but her 10 minutes of screen fame reminds fans why she's good for a laugh (and still "hot").
  3. Sandra Bullock ("The Proposal," June 19). The guileless innocent, Bullock manages to outsmart everyone in the room while getting the guy in the end. With cred like "Speed" and "Demolition Man," she's beyond romantic comedies (which she despises anyhow). Paired with Ryan Reynolds, Bullock shows how screwball's done with the biggest opening weekend of her career.
  4. Ashley Tisdale ("Aliens in the Attic," July 31) Can the drama snoot from "High School Musical" leave Disney behind? Her underaged legion of fans might just cross over to the family comedy, although Tisdale may find a comic nemesis in the redoubtable veteran Doris Roberts as the kung-fu grandmother.
  5. Hayden Panettierre ("I Love You, Beth Cooper," July 10). A cheerleading superhero by primetime and a movie teen-comedy star by summer, Panettierre may finally break out big-time in this buzzy comedy based on a book by "Simpsons" writer Larry Doyle (who also does the screenplay).
  6. Zooey Deschanel ("500 Days of Summer," July 17 limited release). The ethereal indie queen (with her share of elfin success) returns to the art circuit in an "unromantic comedy" Sundance breakout. At 29, she has snagged a Maui film festival award honoring artists "whose stunningly original and seamless performances" show "unique insight and wisdom." Expect a sleeper hit.
  7. Olivia Wilde ("Year One," June 19). She is Megan Fox's girl crush...need we say more? Okay, okay: She's married to Italian royalty, made Maxim's Hot 100 #1 Stunner, and inspired Fox to say "She makes me want to strangle a mountain with my bare hands." She didn't have to be too funny as Princess of Sodom to score buzz—besides, per critical feedback on "Year One," nobody else really was anyhow.
  8. Alexis Bledel ("Post Grad," August 21). Not so bad being typecast as the smart one. The "Gilmore Girls" alum sounds a recessionary note as a smart girl forced to move back into the family nest full of odd birds (one of them played by the inestimable Carol Burnett).
  9. Anna Friel ("Land of the Lost," June 5). From the late (and lamented) critical TV sleeper "Pushing Daisies" to big-budget TV remake, the English lass scored a spot in a comedic tar pit with Will Ferrell and Danny McBride (and had to do kegel exercises to keep from breaking out in laughter). Expect more from Friel, who scored the lead in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" stage musical.
  10. Betty White ("The Proposal," June 19). This summer brings back vets like Burnett and Roberts, but the 87-year-old actress reigns as this season's grande dame of comedy thanks to "naughty" persistence. Every epoch or so, she alternates between devious ("The Mary Tyler Moore Show") to delightful ("The Golden Girls"), and her latest escapades show she hasn't changed a bit.

Filed under: Movies, Comedians, Women

Pixar, Poor Grades, and a Lost Sense: Buzz Week In Review

By Mike Krumboltz
Fri, June 19, 2009, 6:14 pm PDT

Some weeks in the Buzz are thrilling. Others are inspiring. However, this past week was filled with some sad and discouraging news. Some of the noteworthy stories you may have missed: A child dying of cancer asked for (and received) a private screening of Pixar's "Up." A Chicago school announced that 44 of its 77 students won't graduate. Oh, and you know that nasal spray you've been using to help cure your cold? Turns out it might have taken away your sense of smell.

A child's last wish
10-year-old Colby Curtin died of cancer this week, but before she passed away, her final wish was fulfilled. The child had desperately wanted to see the new Pixar movie, "Up." Unfortunately, she was too ill to go to the theater. According to various articles within the Buzz, Pixar was told of Colby's illness. The company sent a representative to deliver a DVD for Colby to watch in her room. Though she could no longer see, her mother narrated the action. Colby died several hours after the movie ended, and searches on "up movie make a wish" and "colby curtin up" both soared.

Tough times at South Side school
A Chicago school made an alarming announcement this week. Close to 60% of its students won't graduate from the eighth grade. The startling figure sent lookups on "Myra Bradwell Elementary School" spiking. An article from CBS 2 Chicago explains that many in the community are wondering who to blame for the students' failure. Some are pointing fingers at the parents, while those same parents are claiming they didn't receive any notice that their children were struggling (the school board claims that written notices were sent).

What's that smell?
When will companies learn to stop trying to cure the common cold? Perhaps now, after the FDA charged Matrixx, the makers of Zicam, with selling a product that robbed people of their sense of smell. Matrixx called the claim "unwarranted." Still, the news caused a shockwave in Search as lookups roared on "zicam side effects," "zicam recall," and "loss of smell zicam." An article from CNN Money explains that because Zicam was classified as a homeopathic remedy, it was able to be marketed without "government oversight." Perhaps that loophole will soon be closed?

Also buzzing this week...
• Al Roker took it to the Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag on "The Today Show."
• The highly anticipated, if awkwardly named, iPhone 3G S hit store shelves.
• A rash of alleged UFO abductions struck our friends Down Under.

Follow us on Twitter

Filed under: Movies, Recaps, Education

< Previous | Next >

top movers

RankSubject1-Day Move
1Karl MaldenBreakout!
2Alexis ArguelloBreakout!
3Danielle DeleasaBreakout!
4Burmese PythonBreakout!
5Williams SistersBreakout!
6Kevin Jonas2543%
7Jeremy Mayfield2346%
8Diana Reyes2229%
9Diana Ross1865%
10Diana Krall1622%

top leaders

Rank Subject Move  Score 
1Michael Jackson-101 924 
2Debbie Rowe+184 224 
3Twitter-3 206 
4Kellie Pickler+152 167 
5Neverland Ranch+75 163 
6Megan Fox-52 158 
7Wimbledon+40 156 
8Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen-2 148 

what's the buzz?

A subject's buzz score is the percentage of Yahoo! users searching for that subject on a given day, multiplied by a constant to make the number easier to read. Weekly leaders are the subjects with the greatest average buzz score for a given week.


For more detailed information, visit our FAQ.