Birthday Special: January-born actors and their movies every fan must watch

Let’s start the movie-watching extravaganza in 2023 by celebrating actors born this month. Featuring a host of charismatic Capricorns and some awesome Aquarians, the list includes Bradley Cooper, Orlando Bloom, Jim Carrey, Rosamund Pike and Christian Bale. It’s time to hit the play button!

Bradley Cooper—January 5

American Hustle

If we ever had to pick a role, a character that saw Cooper breathed life into, it would be Richie DiMao. With a permed hairdo and a wardrobe that was ridiculous, yet insane, the actor brought the house down with his charisma as he looked to crack a major case as an undercover FBI agent. It is this very energy that sees Cooper star in some of the film’s most hilarious sequences. It may have been just a supporting role, but you soon realise that the film would have been nothing without Richie, and Cooper in that part who dominates the screen every time he is on it. 

A Star Is Born 

This movie that saw Cooper doing everything—act, sing, and direct. Alongside singing sensation Lady Gaga, Cooper makes a beautiful movie that tug at our heartstrings right from the word go. And watching him in a never-seen-before avatar—strumming the guitar and lending his voice to some memorable numbers—does make our hearts skip a beat. He plays an impressive aging, alcoholic rock star. Fun fact: The movie is Cooper’s directorial debut. 

Orlando Bloom—January 13

The Lord of the Rings

This franchise put Bloom in the big league, making people stand up and take notice of the talented actor. In his role as elf Legolas, he is unrecognisable! Those who’ve followed his career closely, will agree that Legolas remains his most famous and cherished role. Bloom played Legolas in all three of the original Lord of the Rings films—The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King—and returned for the Hobbit prequel, The Battle of the Five Armies. We’ll never get tired of watching him. 

Pirates of the Caribbean

Riding high on the success of The Lord of the Rings, Bloom, in the early 2000s, packed another punch as Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean. While all eyes were on Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, Bloom ensures that his chemistry with Keira Knightley over four fantastic films is one to remember. The films were box office blockbusters and let people know that here was an actor who could very well be a great romantic lead, and do an impressive job at that. 

Jim Carrey—January 17

Liar Liar

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve watched this movie. It is one of Carrey’s best and garners the loudest laughs. He plays Fletcher Reede, a lawyer, and a liar, who is unable to lie for a day, thanks to as his son’s birthday wish. Some of the best scenes and dialogues from the movie include the one where he insults an entire boardroom and the one where he’s pulled over by a police officer. If you want to laugh your guts out, this movie is certainly not one to be missed. 

The Mask

I religiously watched the man turn green on wearing a mask as a kid on Cartoon Network. Having loved the cartoons, did I love the movie? Absolutely, and Jim Carrey was the only reason why. Carrey stars as Stanley Ipkiss, a meek bank clerk whose life and face are transformed when he discovers an ancient mask with the power to transform him into the god of mischief. What follows is a man in a yellow suit, green face and one of the widest grins you’ve ever seen. He’s the reason why my parents were constantly annoyed while I yelled “Smokin!” and “Somebody stop me!”. It’s a movie that defies all logic, yet stays in your mind for a very long time. 

Rosamund Pike—January 27

Gone Girl

Pike is one of the main reasons why this film is considered to be one of the best thriller mysteries in recent times. She plays Amy, who hatches a plan of her husband Nick’s (Ben Affleck) murder on their fifth wedding anniversary, after she finds out about his affair with a student. What follows is murder and mayhem that keeps you right at the edge of your seats. Pike, who is convincing, scary and downright evil, is near perfect in this role, one that sees us root for her despite being the film’s antagonist. 

Pride and Prejudice

Based on Jane Austen’s novel by the same name, the big-screen directing debut of British filmmaker Joe Wright focuses on the Bennet family and their five eligible daughters who are desperately seeking suitors. Pike plays the role of the eldest daughter, Jane, who ends up marrying the rich and kind Charles Bingley. Playing Jane with incredible and genuine vulnerability, it is no surprise to see Pike wow audiences, showing us just how good an actor she is. 

Christian Bale—January 30 

The Prestige

The man is a chameleon, transforming himself with the movies he makes. The actor, dedicated to his craft has done it all—losing weight (60 pounds for The Machinist) and gaining weight (60 pounds for Batman Begins) in consecutive films. Where does one even start with Bale, if they had to select two of his best movies? I’d go with this Christopher Nolan masterpiece to begin with. After the success of Batman Begins, the duo teamed up again in a movie set in 1890s London where two rival magicians (Bale and Hugh Jackman) try their best to top each other in the quest to see who the best is. Bale, as the competitive magician Borden is fascinating as he goes up against Angier. Filled with twists and turns as the two protagonists shine on stage, here is a cult film that you just have to watch. 

American Psycho

Bale as Patrick Bateman wasn’t just an ‘American Psycho’. He is probably the ultimate American monster if one had to term it. Beneath the appearance of a highly successful Wall Street businessman is a deadly serial killer who stalks and preys on his victims at night. There is a method to the madness, a genius of sorts as one sees one horrific murder after another, yet finds the act immensely hot and sexy.