"Catch Me If You Can" is one of the best movies about corn artists, as it is based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a skilled con artist and impostor who successfully assumed multiple identities and forged millions of dollars' worth of checks before his 19th birthday.

The plot of "Catch Me If You Can" follows Frank Abagnale Jr. (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), a charismatic and intelligent teenager who runs away from home after his parents' marriage falls apart. With a keen ability to deceive and a knack for forging checks, Frank begins an elaborate life of fraud and deception. He poses as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, all while evading the relentless pursuit of FBI agent Carl Hanratty (played by Tom Hanks)

The film probes the very essence of identity from its opening scene, laying the foundation for Frank's search for identity, as he navigates through a series of ingenious cons. Armed with his boyish charm, quick wit, and knowledge gleaned from movies, Frank captivates not only his marks but also the audience.

The stark contrast to Frank's character is embodied by Tom Hanks' portrayal of FBI agent Carl Hanratty. Shedding his customary paternal aura, Hanks immerses himself in the role of a driven yet humorless investigator devoted to his work. Hanratty's relentless pursuit of Frank is motivated by personal sacrifices, as his dedication to his job cost him his marriage and the estrangement of his daughter. Paradoxically, Hanratty and Frank share more similarities than they care to admit.

Release: 2002

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken

Rotten Tomatoes: 96%

"A Fish Called Wanda" is a hilarious heist comedy film released in 1988, directed by Charles Crichton and written by John Cleese. The main characters include Archie Leach (played by John Cleese), a barrister with a passion for fishes; Wanda Gershwitz (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), a seductive and cunning woman; Otto West (played by Kevin Kline), Wanda's dim-witted and aggressive lover; and Ken Pile (played by Michael Palin), an animal lover with a stutter.

Archie, who is unhappy in his marriage and infatuated with Wanda, becomes unwittingly involved in the diamond heist when Wanda's gang uses his legal knowledge to defend George Thomason (played by Tom Georgeson), a member of the gang who is arrested during the robbery. George has hidden the stolen diamonds in a secret location, which only he knows.

With witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and clever plot twists, "A Fish Called Wanda" takes the audience on a wild and unpredictable ride. The film combines elements of crime, romance, and comedy, creating a unique blend of genres that keeps viewers entertained from start to finish.

As the story unfolds, the characters find themselves in absurd and comical situations, leading to hilarious confrontations and unexpected alliances. Through a series of comedic set pieces and a rapid-fire pace, the film explores themes of greed, lust, and the lengths people will go to achieve their desires.

Release: 1988

Stars: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Set in the Great Depression era of the 1930s, the movie follows the unlikely partnership between a con artist named Moses Pray (played by Ryan O'Neal) and a young girl named Addie Loggins (played by Tatum O'Neal).

The story begins with the death of Addie's mother. Moses, a smooth-talking hustler, attends the funeral pretending to be a friend of the family. He soon discovers that Addie may be his daughter and reluctantly agrees to take her to her aunt's home in St. Joseph, Missouri. Initially, Moses sees this as an opportunity to make some money by exploiting the situation.

Peter Bogdanovich, the esteemed American New Wave director, showcased his remarkable filmmaking skills in his early works. From the intense thriller "Targets" (1968) to the bittersweet drama "The Last Picture Show" (1971) and the classic screwball 1972 comedy "What's Up, Doc?", Bogdanovich showcased his versatility in many different genres. However, it was his most famous work, "Paper Moon" (1973), set in the Great Depression era, that truly captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike.

Bogdanovich's classical approach to filmmaking is evident in the brisk pacing, sharp humor, and excellent poignant scenes throughout "Paper Moon." The director skillfully balances emotions and changes in narrative direction, dividing the film into three acts that explore the development of the father-daughter relationship, the humorous conflicts with a money-grabbing character named Miss Trixie, and the final act featuring run-ins with a bootlegger. His use of deep-focus and uninterrupted takes, coupled with fast-paced overlapping dialogues, adds authenticity and urgency to the story.

Release: 1973

Stars: Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

"The Sting" is a classic American crime film set in the 1930s during the Great Depression, telling he story of two con men who plan an elaborate and intricate scheme to exact revenge on a powerful mob boss.

The film begins with Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford), a small-time grifter, unwittingly conning a courier working for mob boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). When Lonnegan discovers the deception, he orders his hitman to kill Hooker's partner. Fueled by anger and a thirst for revenge, Hooker seeks out the help of experienced con artist Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman).

Together, Hooker and Gondorff devise an intricate plan known as "the big con." They assemble a team of skilled con men, each with their unique talents, to execute the elaborate ruse. Their ultimate goal is to trick Lonnegan into betting a large sum of money on a fixed horse race, where they plan to manipulate the outcome in their favor.

Clocking in at 127 minutes, "The Sting" builds towards a series of thrilling climaxes that pile up with excitement. In the final moments, the audience realizes they have been taken on a ride, but the pleasure of the journey makes it worthwhile.

While the producing partnership of Tony Bill and the Phillips ended after this second collaboration (their first being "Steelyard Blues"), their success rate of one out of two is commendable. As for the Zanuck/Brown Co., "The Sting" bodes well for their future endeavors. Universal Pictures, having already had a record year at the time, continued to demonstrate its winning streak.

Release: 1973

Stars: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

"American Hustle" is a 2013 crime film directed by David O. Russell, which revolves around a brilliant con artist named Irving Rosenfeld, played by Christian Bale, and his equally cunning partner and lover, Sydney Prosser, portrayed by Amy Adams.

Irving and Sydney are forced to work for an ambitious FBI agent, Richie DiMaso, played by Bradley Cooper, who catches them in a scam. In exchange for their freedom, Irving and Sydney agree to help Richie in a major operation to expose corruption in the political world.

The trio's target is Carmine Polito, a passionate and charismatic mayor of Camden, New Jersey, played by Jeremy Renner. The plan involves using a fictional Arab sheikh to lure politicians and public officials into accepting bribes in exchange for political favors.

By assembling a star-studded cast from his previous movies, director David O. Russell hits the jackpot once again with "American Hustle." Loosely inspired by the infamous "ABSCAM" sting of the late 1970s, the film takes cues from "Boogie Nights" in its use of music and its authentic recreation of the era. Despite being rooted in a scandal that made headlines worldwide, Russell's focus remains firmly on the small group of captivating characters at the heart of the story.

Cons are the name of the game in "American Hustle" - from small-time swindles to government-sponsored scams, and twists that see David outsmarting Goliath. The characters are constantly donning disguises, sporting elaborate hairstyles, adopting fake accents, and weaving intricate fantasies where they take center stage, which cleverly flips the usual disdainful portrayal of bribed government officials.

Release: 2013

Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

"The Producers" is a classic comedy film from 1967 about Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel), a washed-up Broadway producer, and Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), a timid accountant. Max, desperate to regain his former glory, hatches a plan with Leo to deliberately produce a Broadway flop and scam their investors out of money.

They find a script called "Springtime for Hitler," written by Franz Liebkind (Kenneth Mars), a deranged Nazi sympathizer. Max and Leo secure the financing from a group of elderly women, who are oblivious to their scheme. With the money in hand, they hire a terrible director, Roger De Bris (Christopher Hewett), and an eccentric Swedish secretary, Ulla (Lee Meredith), to help bring the show to life.

To their shock, "Springtime for Hitler" becomes a bizarre and unintentional hit with the audience. The outrageous portrayal of Hitler and the Nazi regime creates an uproar, but the public interprets it as a satirical masterpiece. Max and Leo are now faced with the unexpected success of their deliberately awful production.

As the show becomes a sensation, the duo's scheme begins to unravel. They face scrutiny from their investors, who want their share of the profits, and they also attract the attention of the IRS. Max and Leo find themselves in a chaotic and hilarious predicament, desperately trying to salvage their plan while evading the authorities.

Director Mel Brooks, the comedic genius behind "The Producers," crafts a broad satire on Nazis and slyly pokes fun at Broadway musicals. Who else but Brooks could turn such a taboo subject into a hilarious comedy? It's like "The Sound of Music" taken on a wild, twisted journey.

Moreover, Brooks playfully satirizes Broadway itself - suggesting that audiences will just digest anything, as Springtime for Hitler proves. He also takes aim at the enduring connection between Broadway and the gay community, with De Bris and his assistant, Carmen Ghia, being unmistakably flamboyant. Even the character playing Hitler is named L.S.D., a nod to the popular drug of the 60s.

Release: 1967

Stars: Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is the story about the adventures (or more like misadventures) of two cunning con artists, Lawrence Jamieson (played by Michael Caine) and Freddy Benson (portrayed by Steve Martin) during their intense competition to swindle rich French Rivera women.

Lawrence, a sophisticated and refined British gentleman, has been successfully charming and deceiving wealthy women for years. He operates with elegance and finesse, using his smooth-talking skills to extract money from his targets. However, his luxurious lifestyle is suddenly threatened when Freddy, a brash and uncouth American swindler, arrives on the scene.

Freddy, initially an annoyance to Lawrence, quickly becomes a rival. Determined to prove himself as a con artist, he sets his sights on the same wealthy women that Lawrence targets. The two engage in a hilarious battle of wits and manipulation, each trying to outsmart the other in their quest for fortune.

Both actors' comedic brilliance reaches its pinnacle with the characters they play, whose exaggerated mannerisms and revolutionary table manners provide some of the film's most side-splitting moments. Hence, although "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" does lose some of its momentum in the convoluted twists and turns of the plot, their portrayals inject a charming airhead quality into the story. Additionally, Michael Bauhaus' cinematography successfully captures the golden light of the Riviera, adding to the film's visual allure.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" may have its roots in a classic tale, but it manages to deliver a satisfying payoff that keeps viewers second-guessing themselves. The talented cast ensures that we forget about the film's lineage, as the scoundrels continue to outdo themselves with their vermin-like audacity.

Release: 1988

Stars: Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

"Ocean's Eleven" (2001) is a heist film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts. The plot revolves around Danny Ocean (Clooney), a recently paroled master thief who hatches an audacious plan to rob three of Las Vegas' biggest casinos simultaneously.

After being released from prison, Danny Ocean reunites with his close friend Rusty Ryan (Pitt), and together they assemble a team of skilled criminals to carry out the elaborate heist. Their objective is to steal over $150 million from the vaults of the Bellagio, Mirage, and MGM Grand casinos during a highly anticipated boxing match.

The team, consisting of specialists in various fields, including surveillance, hacking, and acrobatics, prepares meticulously for the heist. Each member has their unique role to play in ensuring the success of the operation. Among the recruits are tech expert Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), inside man Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), and grease man Yen (Shaobo Qin), who specializes in acrobatics and contortion.

The 2001 version of "Ocean's Eleven" stands as a rare gem in Hollywood—a remake that surpasses its predecessor. While not without its flaws, this film directed by Steven Soderbergh manages to captivate audiences beyond the star power it boasts.

The original 1960 version was a lackluster caper comedy, primarily remembered for bringing together the infamous "Rat Pack" rather than its storytelling prowess. It meandered along without a clear plot, failed to develop its characters, lacked humor, and struggled to generate suspense. However, when producer Jerry Weintraub, director Soderbergh, and actor George Clooney set out to reimagine "Ocean's Eleven" (2001), it turns out to be an entertaining endeavor that blends traditional heist rhythms with comedic moments, filled to the brim with fully-fleshed-out characters and well-written lines.

Release: 2001

Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

"Matchstick Men" is a 2003 film directed by Ridley Scott that follows the story of Roy Waller, a seasoned con artist suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). His life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers that he has a teenage daughter named Angela, played by Alison Lohman, whom he had never known about. Angela shows up at his doorstep, eager to connect with her estranged father. Despite his initial hesitation, Roy allows Angela into his life, and they gradually form a bond.

Movies featuring confidence tricksters have long been a part of the thriller genre, although they don't always receive the highest regard. Many of these films suffer from low budgets and cheesy plots, with predictable twists that fail to impress. However, there is a list of exceptions to this rule, which Ridley Scott's "Matchstick Men" now joins.

The movie aims for more than just the protagonists' big score - it delves into themes of redemption and salvation. The film successfully combines moderate suspense, as expected in a story about grifters and their crimes, with a sharp, biting sense of humor that occasionally elicits genuine laughter. It also provides emotional satisfaction through the central connection between Roy and Angela, whose relationship is characterized by a mutual sense of discovery as they realize the unfulfilled needs that each fulfills for the other.

Release: 2003

Stars: Nicolas Cage, Alison Lohman, Sam Rockwell

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

"Nightmare Alley" is the 2001 remake of the famous same-titled film noir from 1947. The narrative revolves around Stanton Carlisle, played by Bradley Cooper, a financially struggling but ambitious carnival worker searching for a scam that will bring him a much-needed windfall. He's a master manipulator and can read people like a mentalist. He absorbs other confidence tricks like a sponge, having honed his skills through observation. Soon, he joins a traveling carnival owned by the imposing Bruno (portrayed by Ron Pearlman), and managed by the slimy Clem (portrayed superbly by William Dafoe.)

Aside from the intricate plot, "Nightmare Alley" is visually stunning, thanks to the exceptional work of director of photography Dan Lausten, a longtime collaborator of del Toro's. The film was partially shot in Buffalo, a city with architectural charm preserved through harsh winters and economic challenges. Its use of Buffalo's Art Deco city hall for Blanchett's office, the shot of Cooper walking through the theater district, and the Karpeles Manuscript Museum for interior scenes that transport you to a bygone era—all contribute to the film's immersive experience.

Combined with Brandt Gordon's art direction and Luis Sequeira's costume design, "Nightmare Alley" successfully transports audiences to another time and place.

Release: 2021

Stars: Bradley Cooper, Ron Pearlman, William Dafoe, Cate Blanchett

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%