This week Hollywood brings movie-goers films about people (and animals) on a mission, though their callings differ wildly. Those looking for a little inspiration or considering undertaking a new pursuit may want to head their local theaters this weekend.

The first film to premiere this week (Wednesday instead of the traditional Friday opening) hopes to encourage viewers to fight for the future of the planet. Disney’s Earth premiered on Earth Day and is a documentary which follows the migratory paths of three different families of animals over the course of a year. As the audience follows the lives of polar bears, elephants and humpback whales, James Earl Jones narrates, exploring the threats posed to these creatures by climate change. While the documentary, which was released internationally in 2007 and has finally made its way to the United States, seeks to entertain, it also emphasizes, as Jones says,  that “This is the time to take stock of what we have, and what we stand to lose.”

Fighting portrays a journey of a very different kind: it follows one man’s quest to escape his life on the streets by participating in illegal underground fights. Channing Tatum (Step Up) stars as Shawn MacArthur, a young man who has recently moved to New York and supporting himself by selling knock-off goods on the street. When he runs into veteran street fighter Harvey Boarden, played by Terrence Howard (Iron Man, Crash), he is offered the chance to make a lot of money in illegal fights. As MacArthur begins to find success, he also realizes that his new profession can make his life a lot more dangerous.

The femme fatale at the center of the new thriller Obsessed is also on a mission, though hers is far more sinister in nature. Ali Larter (Heroes, Varsity Blues) stars as Lisa Sheridan, a temp who falls deeply and fanatically in love with her new boss, Dereck, played by Idris Elba (The Wire). Despite Dereck’s expressions of disinterest, Lisa begins stalking him and his wife Sharon, played by Beyonce Knowles (Dreamgirls, Cadillac Records), and the perfect life Dereck once had is put in danger. For Larter's take on what it was like to play such a memorable character, check out Gossip Sauce's behind the scenes look at the film.

Finally, in a more uplifting take on the theme of fulfilling one’s higher calling, The Soloist offers a tale of passion and redemption. Based on the memoir of Los Angeles Times journalist Steve Lopez, the film tells the story of Lopez’s unlikely friendship with Nathaniel Ayers, a musical prodigy who has become homeless due to his struggle with schizophrenia. Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man, Tropic Thunder), no stranger to mental health issues himself, stars as Lopez, and Jamie Foxx (Collateral, Ray) portrays Ayers. For the stars’ take on this powerful film, see this week’s In the Spotlight interview with Foxx and Downey, Jr.

—John Bavoso