"Lee Daniels'
The first Oscar contender of the year stars Forest Whitaker, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Oprah Winfrey, and an A-list ensemble. Directed by the powerhouse behind "Precious," Lee Daniels, this historical drama may take in $25 million.
The rest of the competition — "Jobs," "
Get the details on what hits theaters this weekend, what to check out, and what to avoid.
1. "jOBS"
Sundance
Estimated Budget: $20 million
Opening Weekend Outlook: $10 million
Critics: 25%
"jOBS" profiles the tech giant's life in the early 1970s as he builds Apple from the ground up. Ashton Kutcher stars as Jobs, in a performance that's "simply beyond Kutcher's ability," The Huffington Post wrote.
Consensus: iPass.
2. "Kick-Ass 2"
Estimated Budget: $28 million
Opening Weekend Outlook: $19 million
Critics: 27%
In the sequel, superheroes Kick-Ass and Hit Girl band with a citywide wave of masked vigilantes to take down the world's first super villain. Chloe Grace Moretz gives a terrific performance, but the film fails to nail the first movie's blend of ultra-violence and ironic humor.
Consensus: Unless you can't "support that level of violence," as star Jim Carrey cannot, go see.
3. "Lee Daniels' The Butler"
Estimated Budget: $30 million
Opening Weekend Outlook: $22.5-25 million
Critics: 72%
There's early Oscar buzz surrounding this historical drama, recounting the life of a White House butler who served during eight presidential administrations. An all-star cast includes Forest Whitaker, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Alan Rickman, and Jane Fonda, among a million celebrity cameos.
Consensus: What are you waiting for?
4. "Paranoia"
Relativity
Estimated Budget: $35 million
Opening Weekend Outlook: $5-6 million
Critics: 4%
Despite the brains of Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman and the brawn of Liam Hemsworth, this techno-thriller falls victim to "thunderous clichés" and "bland performances."
Consensus: Run in the other direction.