Last week I mentioned it was Linda Hamilton’s birthday, one of the cosmic signs I needed to write about her most iconic acting role. In contemplating what to write about this week, I wondered how likely it was there would be a viable actor to use on any given day of the year that I had an article coming out. When researching 10/3, I found that if you want to get a child who is into acting, you might want to target this date of birth. A long but non-exhaustive list includes: Alicia Vikander, Tessa Thompson, Clive Owen, Neve Campbell, Seann William Scott, Ayo Edebiri, Lena Headey, Janel Moloney and Kirsten Thompson. In honor of this day’s propensity to give acting talent, I’m giving my suggestion for each actor in the list.

Alicia Vikander, MOVIE: “Ex Machina” (2014, R, 108 min, watch it: DVD)

I think Alicia Vikander isn’t just the most talented person on this list, but one of the most talented actors working today. In this movie, she plays Ava, a construct with artificial intelligence programmed by Oscar Issac’s Frankenstein-esque character. Domhnall Gleeson is brought out to put Ava to the test to see if the robot could pass for human. There is a complicated chess match going on between all the characters which adds layer upon layer to the story in a fascinating thriller. All of the performances were quite good in the movie, but Vikander was a particular standout and really made the movie.

Tessa Thompson, MOVIE: “Selma” (2014, PG-13, 128 min, watch it: DVD, Paramount+)

Personally, I really enjoy Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie in the “Thor” movies, but know the Marvel Universe isn’t for everyone. She’s also great in the “Creed” movies if you’re into boxing and know the “Rocky” franchise. However, looking through Thompson’s filmography, “Selma” stands out as both an exceptionally good movie and a wonderful performance of hers even if it is a smaller role. This biopic focuses largely on Martin Luther King, Jr. and his march in the titular town, but does a great job at also setting the political and cultural landscape at the time. The cast is far too large to give everyone a shoutout, but it is wonderfully acted by everyone involved with Thompson shining as Diane Nash, one of the co-founders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. While her role may not be the thing you remember at the end, she certainly contributes to the reasons to see it in the first place.

Clive Owen, MOVIE: “King Arthur” (2004, PG-13, 126 min, watch it: DVD)

You might remember some ads back in the early 2000s proclaiming there was new archaeological evidence about King Arthur’s story being true, and this movie would use it to give you a more accurate telling of that well-known tale. It was, of course, an absolutely ridiculous publicity thing and didn’t really impact the movie but rather set you up to expect something quite different. Which, actually, is what they did in fact deliver. The movie was also far different than what director Antoine Fuqua set out to make, but that’s another story. What makes this movie something I actually recommend is the acting turned in by Clive Owen in particular, but also Keira Knightley, Ioan Gruffudd and Mads Mikkelsen (among many others). The characters they developed for the story are quite intriguing and developed well by the actors, but the Arthur put on screen by Owen is something to behold.

Neve Campbell, MOVIE: “Three to Tango” (1999, R, 98 min, watch it: DVD, Roku)

Perhaps best known for being in the “Scream” franchise, Neve Campbell stars in this little romantic comedy which isn’t a gem, per se, but one that is worth a watch at some point. Costarring with Campbell are Matthew Perry, Oliver Platt, Dylan McDermott, John C. McGinley and Bob Balaban, all of whom bring a healthy dose of comedy to the movie. What makes this one a little different are the dramatic moments Perry brings, against his typical casting, and the scenes that Campbell and Perry have are often quite good. The main idea of the movie is that Campbell plays McDermott’s mistress whom he entrusts to Perry because of the misconception that Perry’s character is gay. They could’ve done many things better in the movie with regards to that plotline, but it at least doesn’t come across as wholly offensive. The two main reasons to see this movie are the scenes Campbell and Perry share and Platt’s tirade about his kidneys.

Seann William Scott, MOVIE: “Evolution” (2001, PG-13, 101 min, watch it: DVD, PlutoTV)

This movie is on my personal “feel good” list. No matter what else is going on in the world, I know I can put this movie on and laugh away, care free, for nearly two hours. My wife will eagerly attest to the fact this is not true for everyone. Seann William Scott is probably best known as Stifler in the “American Pie” franchise, but I much prefer him in this movie despite both characters having nearly equal levels of stupidity. This one is just funnier. David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, and Julianne Moore costar with Scott in this bizarre science-fiction themed comedy from Ivan Reitman, the director of “Ghostbusters.” I find a lot in common between this movie and the classic ghost fighting brigade as both lean on low brow humor, minimal plotlines and amusing antics of the stars. I whole-heartedly recommend this movie for an amusing time, but won’t be in the least offended if you don’t share my affinity for it.

Honorable mentions for the rest who are best known for television shows: Ayo Edebiri on “The Bear,” Lena Headey played Sarah Connor on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” for several years and is also known for playing Cersei Lannister on “Game of Thrones,” Janel Moloney who was great as Donna Moss on “The West Wing,” and Kirsten Thompson who played the cop in charge, Karen Vick, on “Psych.”

So, are any of these what to watch for you? There is an eclectic mix on offer: science fiction thriller, moving biopic, dramatic medieval warfare, romantic comedy, and outlandish science fiction comedy. There should be something to suit just about any cinematic palate and you can’t go wrong with one watch of any of these movies.

Kent Kraft is someone who also feels a shoutout would be nice for fellow birthday folks Gwen Stefani (best known as lead singer of No Doubt and her time on “The Voice”), Greg Propps (known for “Who’s Line Is It, Anyway? and the voice of a podracing announcer in Star Wars: Episode 1: “The Phantom Menace”), and Peter Frechette (tech guy in the underrated show “Profiler”), as well as directors Gore Vidal (who passed in 2012) and Denis Villeneuve. Next week, he’ll focus on a career retrospective for the late Dame Maggie Smith.