This Week’s Releases: “The Butler,” “Kick-Ass 2,” “JOBS,” and “Paranoia”

It’s another big week at the movies, with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars in two fact-based prestige movies with awards potential, a superhero sequel, and a twisty thriller based on a best-selling novel.

Formally called “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” following a petty title rights dispute, this is the “Precious” director’s epic based on the real-life story of a black man who served eight Presidents from the Jim Crow era through the era of the Civil Rights movement.  Stars include Oscar winners Forest Whitaker, Robin Williams, Jane Fonda, and Cuba Gooding, Jr., as well as Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, James Marsden, Alan Rickman and Terrence Howard.

“JOBS” has Ashton Kutcher as the late founder of Apple and Pixar. “Paranoia” stars Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, and Liam Hemsworth in a story of corporate espionage based on the best-selling thriller about corporate espionage by Joseph Finder.

And “Kick-Ass 2” is the sequel to the controversial, ultra-violent story based on the comics from Mark Millar and John Romita. Jim Carrey joined the cast — but has now distanced himself from the film because of its violent content.