Spinning Gold

I didn't know anything about this movie going into it. But I was not pleasantly surprised, more so unpleasantly annoyed.

I gave it a 5 stars because it is not a terrible movie, some of the musical scenes I enjoyed a bit. And I generally do see a lot of work has been put into making this film hence I don't like to give it lower. However I didn't enjoy this movie at all.

The whole film I found myself annoyed with the main character (forgot his name, I think he was called bogard, which I know is ironic since It is even mentioned in the movie that everybody knows kiss but nobody knows this guys name). I'll just proceed to cal him bogard in this review. Normally I could enjoy a movie about a flawed character and since it's a biopic I was willing to give it a go. But the writing of this character is just laughable, I felt as if the movie wasn't aware of the way the viewer would feel about this character. And then in the end I felt it getting better but then there was this horrible scene made to make us feel pity for him but it was done in such a unsubtle, forced and rushed way.

Everybody in this movie is overacting, nothing feels genuine and real. I felt no connection to the characters and lost interest in the story very soon.

I didn't understand what was happening Sometimes, I didn't know what the movie wanted to be or wanted me to feel. One second it felt like a drama, the next like a comedy, then it had some darker crime moments and none of it blended together to make one cohesive film.

I wouldn't recommend watching it in cinemas.

I don't understand the hate given some of the other movies out there like Cocaine Bear, 64 and Shazam. I thought this was a pretty good bio-pic. It is a very interesting insight on how the first Independent label was started. It also showed the people behind the scenes to get the talent, make the music and to get it out there for public consumption. Probably would have been better served if they focused more time on this change in the music industry. There was a bit of personal things they could have left out and it actually might have made the movie a little bit more focused. Regardless, if you can handle any of the above 3 other movies, then go out an enjoy a pretty good movie with some sound acting and editing, and make it a nice evening out.

A colorful and moving tribute to Neil Bogart, "Spinning Gold" is about fulfilling dreams and life itself. A somewhat sedate and less manic "Vinyl" the movie is a cruise through mid - 20th Century America and the ascent of a young Jewish man from humble and troubled beginnings in New York to the pinnacle of success in Hollywood and beyond. Jeremy Jordan livens the party as the glib and amiable Bogart who navigates his way through debt and hairy personal situations in making his record label Casablanca Records the most successful independent music company. Along the way we're witness to music history as Bogart discovers or signs KISS, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, The Village People, Parliament, etc.., and the rest is music history. One aspect missing here is the failure to bring life to the times and the music. Too much focus on the interpersonal relationships charts this tale into tunnel vision that misses the fun parts of a fun time. Perhaps the most glaring sin is the miscasting of the music legends featured. The actors are either too tall, too short or too fat. Considering the nature of the film they should have damn well made the actors look like their characters as much as possible. All in all a fine tribute to a man and a time that altered and enriched and whose legacy endures potently to this day.

It was apparent that the production took inspiration from Wolf of Wallstreet and Bohemian Rhapsody. It wanted to show great musical moments from the highs and lows of a man's career; although a lot of it was taken out of context and not entirely true, and the cocaine infused chaos of the 70s but with a Party City wig.

Bad: Casting choices (that's the least convincing Gene Simmons I've ever seen), Hair and wardrobe choices (I want to puke every time I see the pubes I mean chest hair from Neil), and the green screen and vfx.

Good: The music is real good! Tayla Parx is a new discovery for me, has bits and pieces of fun though they fail to sustain it multiple times, Jason Derulo with a surprising performance.

At the end of the day, you can't fault a family wanting to honor a legendary family member but it would have been better had the creative direction been given to someone with experience. Just didn't seem worth the 10 years of pre production for this level of output.

It's a biopic of Neil Bogart (Jeremy Jordan) who co-founded Casablanca Records. In 1974, they are a new company with only one act on their roster. It's KISS. Neil is having an affair with KISS manager Joyce Biawitz (Lyndsy Fonseca) while his wife Beth (Michelle Monaghan) is at home with the kids.

It's an interesting story that I'm not familiar with. I do know all the songs, but they are a little before my time. The lead needs to be a star. Jeremy Jordan does a fine job. In fact, he's probably very close to the real Neil Bogart. A leading man role does require the biggest star that they can get. As for directing and writing, it's a mistake for Neil's son to do the job. He's also not the most experienced. It's a bit of his father's gambling mentality. He's betting on himself, but the film would benefit from someone better than him. In the end, the songs are great and the story is compelling. The filmmaking is average at best. It's a passable biopic.