Maid In Manhattan (Star Star)
This Cinderella story (without the wicked stepsisters) springs from the fast-food school of moviemaking: Combine familiar ingredients under a new name and make sure they taste exactly as anyone would expect them to. Jennifer Lopez plays a maid in a Manhattan boutique hotel who attracts the attention of a handsome WASPy senatorial candidate played by Ralph Fiennes. This oil-and-cold-water combination doesn’t play as awkwardly as you might expect, and the movie is certainly pleasant. Just don’t expect surprises or distinct flavors. PG-13.
Mark Caro
Star Trek Nemesis (Star Star )
The latest installment may mark the end of a tradition–the long-running “Trek” movie series–but at least it tries to go out with a big bang and a flood of sentiment. The 10th entry in the well-loved science fiction franchise brings back the “Generations” cast and provides a space war with the planet Remus and eerie doubles for both Capt. Picard (Patrick Stewart) and fey android Data (Brent Spiner). “Nemesis” doesn’t win every battle but, if only by a small margin, it does continue that peculiar “Star Trek” tradition in which the even-numbered films are superior to the odd. PG-13.
Michael Wilmington
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