Leon Ichaso (USA)
This biopic about poet, playwright and actor Miguel Pinero (Benjamin Bratt) plunges directly into the underbelly of New York and lives of petty crimes and times spent in Sing-Sing. Director Ichaso uses flashbacks to explain Puerto Rican-born Piñero's talent (an inspiring mother; the creative crucible of prison) and his penchant for consuming anything that could be drunk, smoked, or shot up (a father who abandoned the family; the burden of success). He succeeds in tracing the arc of this shooting star, but a flick at the immigrant's deep attachment to his culture, complete with first trip home to the Caribbean island, founders in the shallows. - K.H.

(Wed., Sept. 12 at 9:15 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 14 at 9:30 a.m., Uptown 2)