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Though always a classic in the cinematic imagination, con artist stories have been particularly in vogue as of late. Just look at the flurry of projects about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes (both Jennifer Lawrence and Amanda Seyfried will take a crack at her oddball cadence), or Shonda Rhimes’ upcoming Netflix show about faux-socialite Anna Delvey. Though “The Tinder Swindler” is unlikely to capture the same degree of schadenfreude-flecked fascination, it lays out its satisfying story at a decent pace to capitalize on the trend....

Ana de Armas is set to play the “Some Like It Hot” star in the adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ 2000 book. The film stirred controversy surrounding de Armas’ casting as the iconic actress, as well as the material of Oates’ fictionalized telling of Monroe’s journey through a series of abusive relationships. De Armas was announced to play Norma Jeane (Monroe’s real first name purposefully misspelled by Oates with an extra “e” at the end of Jean) in 2019, with the film originally set for a 2021 release....

But other cinephiles are concerned about Criterion’s increased openness to commercial films and have expressed disappointment about how the arthouse haven now collaborates with companies like Netflix and Disney. Combined with the company’s recent round of layoffs, some worried that the beloved Criterion Collection might be going in a new direction. But as it turns out, the reissue of “WALL-E” was not the result of a strategic shift for the company....

While “Wonder Woman 1984” was the first major Warner Bros. feature to be released in theaters and on HBO Max on the same day, the first 2021 movie to get that hybrid release treatment is “The Little Things,” a crime thriller starring a cast of Oscar winners. Denzel Washington plays a grizzled ex-LAPD detective who becomes embroiled in the hunt for a serial killer that goes terribly wrong and forces him into exile....

Here is the official synopsis from Fox: “When a documentary crew sets out to explore the lives of residents in a small American town – their dreams, their concerns – they stumble upon the midwestern town of Flatch, which is made up of many eccentric personalities. It’s a place you want to visit and maybe even stay. If there was a decent motel. Which there is not.” “Welcome to Flatch” is written and executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Jenny Bicks and directed and executive-produced by Emmy Award nominee Paul Feig....

Jessica Chastain and Ariana DeBose delivered smart speeches that did the Oscars proud. Best Supporting Actor winner Troy Kotsur saw his hometown of Mesa, Arizona fly banners to celebrate his historic victory. Smith also could have enjoyed the sweet peak of his three-decade career this week: One reason he won the Oscar is Hollywood understood that he might never deliver a strong performance in a movie as well-reviewed as “King Richard....

Adam McKay’s latest HBO series, “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” is based on Jeff Pearlman’s book, “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty” and will premiere March 6 — with or without the NBA’s approval. The 10-episode first season stars John C. Reilly as former Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, Sally Field as his mother, Jessie, and Hadley Robinson as his daughter Jennie (who now runs the Lakers in 2022)....