Most people go to the movies for escapism or to take their minds off of heavy subjects, but this weekend you might just learn something or make a new self-discovery while being entertained at the same time. Whether you’re looking for relationship advice or wondering what would happen if you suddenly find yourself with psychic powers, a diverse batch of movies debuting in theaters this weekend hope to offer audiences some relevations.

For anyone in the market for a great relationship just in time for Valentine’s Day, He’s Just Not That Into You has some lessons to teach. The film, based on the wildly popular self-help books of the same name, boasts one of the most star-clad casts to grace theaters in a while, including Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long, Jennifer Connelly, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kevin Connolly, and Bradley Cooper. The movie centers on a group of individuals in their twenties and thirties as they navigate the world of dating, the common thread being that one half of each couple is much more enamored than the other. The title of the movie and book come from an episode of TV's Sex in the City, so even if viewers don’t leave discovering the perfect way to ditch an obsessed lover or make an uninterested crush reciprocate their affection, the film should provide some solid romantic comedy to fans of the genre.

Those looking to discover for themselves the world of the paranormal need to look no further than the film Push. Not to be confused with Sundance favorite Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire, this Push stars Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning and Camilla Belle as a group of American ex-patriates with telekinetic, telepathic, and clairvoyant abilities allowing them to create illusions, move objects and locate people with only their minds. The group spends most of their time avoiding a covert US agency known only as “The Division” which constantly pursues them. The film offers plenty of sci-fi action and thills, which just may awaken some spoon-bending tendencies in viewers.

Fans of Dakota Fanning will want to take in a double feature this weekend as the young star also voices the title character in the animated film Coraline. In addition to uncovering a fantasy world and a valuable lesson about familial love and treasuring what you have in life, theater-goers will witness the world's first stop-motion animated 3-D movie. The film is based on the Neil Gaiman-penned novella of the same name, which tells the story of Coraline, a young girl who feels neglected by her parents and discovers a secret door to a fantasy world in which new, better versions of her family members await. Before too long, however, Coraline realizes that all is not as perfect as it seems and that maybe things weren’t so bad at home after all. With amazing visual art and a classic story known to many, Coraline offers a lot for adults and kids alike.

Finally, for those who prefer their ah-ha moments as part of a detective story, Inspector Clouseau returns this weekend in The Pink Panther 2, the second installment in the re-imagination of the classic comedy series (originally starring the late Peter Sellers). Movie-goers can expect to discover both laughs and intrigue awaiting them as they join the hapless detective, played by Steve Martin, who must join forces with other crime-solvers from around the globe to thwart an infamous cat burglar, The Tornado, who has returned to a life of crime after a decade of inactivity.

 – John Bavoso