Jan. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Among the casualties of the late- 1990s rap-industry wars in the U.S., one of the biggest -- in several ways -- was Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G., who was shot dead in Los Angeles in 1997. Now comes the biopic, “Notorious,” an unsatisfying mix of sex, violence and sentimentality.

The movie begins with a young Wallace (played by his real son, Christopher Jordan Wallace) turning childhood troubles -- a malicious father, an abandoned mother -- into rhyme on his front stoop. He’s a great student and wary of the thugs in the poor Brooklyn streets of his Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

It isn’t long, though, before the bling of crack dealers proves too alluring. The older Wallace, impressively played by first-time actor Jamal Woolard, who brings an eerie resemblance to the role, begins dealing as a teenager. With a stretch in jail, he starts taking his music seriously, scribbling in notebooks about the hardships of ghetto life. Once out of prison, he records a demo that lands with music mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs (Derek Luke).

Wallace’s path to fame is bumpy. He discovers and sleeps with rapper Li’l Kim (Naturi Naughton), leaves her for singer- songwriter Faith Evans (Antonique Smith), dallies with many ladies, drinks a lot and seems to have a marijuana joint surgically attached to his hand. He also develops a feud with West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur (Anthony Mackie), who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1996.

Jumpy Visuals

For all the action he crammed into his not-quite-25 years of life, the Wallace portrayed here seems more acted-upon than a master of his fate, while the film feels predictable and rose- tinted. Director George Tillman tries to enliven the story using flashy, jumpy visuals as we bounce around from ghetto to extravagance and back; the result is amateurish and unremarkable. Co-writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker also could take a few lessons in subtlety.

Maybe the problem lies partly with those too close to the story. Wallace’s mother, Voletta, was one of the movie’s producers and Combs was executive producer. Kinship and clout could explain why the viewer is never allowed to forget that, despite his violence and philandering, deep down Biggie was a softie. The sentiment creates an unworthy homage to the conflicted, intriguing figure who produced such fascinating, still-relevant music.

“Notorious,” from Fox Searchlight Pictures, opens today in New York. Rating: *1/2

‘Ballerina’

“Ballerina” is a documentary by Bertrand Norman about the culture and intensity of the Russian ballet world and its nationally revered artists. Following several lithe proteges at different stages in their ultimately short careers, we glimpse the commitment and sacrifice extracted from these talented young women. By providing only glimpses, however, the film feels superficial.

The documentary starts by explaining the myth and lore behind the ballerina. Many Russians see them as ethereal, almost- mystical creatures and accord them a venerated status.

Norman visits the renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy, where 9- year-old girls -- so waifish they might blow away in a breeze -- are being vetted for admission. A man twists and tugs their shirtless bodies into seemingly inhuman shapes as old women cock their heads in cold judgment of each candidate. It’s quite disturbing.

We then move around among several graduating or former students of the academy, all of whom have been accepted by the Mariinsky Theatre Ballet Company, one of the world’s most prestigious. There’s an 18-year-old whose perfectionism is paralyzing and whose frustration is saddening; an aspiring actress, whose fledgling on-screen career is spurring success in ballet; a maverick who’s always on the verge of calling it quits; and a new mother, ready to re-enter the world of grace and torture.

There are beautiful dance sequences, and the personal stories are certainly interesting. In the end, though, the film leaves many intriguing areas unexplored. We learn nothing of the male dancers, for instance, or the girls’ day-to-day lives (other than lots of dancing). Some much-needed context is missing. It’s hard to get a sense of who these swans are when the sweat dries and the tights are off.

“Ballerina,’’ from First Run Features, opens today in New York. Rating: **1/2

(Morgan Grice is a critic for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are her own.)

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Last Updated: January 16, 2009 00:01 EST