KISS fans, get ready to rock and roll all night and party every day with Spinning Gold, the highly anticipated biopic about the rise and fall of Casablanca Records. Featuring an all-star cast and a killer soundtrack, this movie is sure to transport you back to the glittering disco era of the 1970s. Keep reading for a breakdown of everything you need to know about Spinning Gold.
What is Spinning Gold?
Spinning Gold is a biopic about Neil Bogart, the founder of Casablanca Records, a label that had a major impact on the music industry in the 1970s. The movie follows Bogart’s rise from a struggling songwriter to a powerful music executive, as well as his struggles with addiction and his untimely death at the age of 39.
Why should you watch it?
Whether you’re a fan of disco or not, Spinning Gold is a must-see movie for anyone who loves music and the people behind it. The movie features an incredible soundtrack, including classic hits like “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, and a stellar cast that includes Jeremy Jordan, Neil Patrick Harris, and Samuel L. Jackson. Plus, the story of Casablanca Records is a fascinating one, full of drama, glamour, and tragedy.
Cast
Spinning Gold boasts an all-star cast, including:
- Jeremy Jordan as Neil Bogart
- Neil Patrick Harris as Bill Aucoin
- Samuel L. Jackson as George Clinton
- Jazmine Sullivan as Donna Summer
- Jason Isaacs as Curtis Mayfield
- Kenan Thompson as Barry Gordy
- Rick Springfield as Dennis Parker
- John Magaro as Butch Leake
- Billy Porter as Little Richard
Synopsis
Spinning Gold follows Neil Bogart as he rises from a struggling songwriter to the founder of Casablanca Records, a label that became synonymous with the disco era of the 1970s. Along the way, he struggles with addiction and clashes with his business partners, including Bill Aucoin (played by Neil Patrick Harris). The movie also features appearances by legendary musicians like Donna Summer, George Clinton, and Little Richard.
Plot
The movie opens with Neil Bogart (Jeremy Jordan) as he prepares to pitch his latest song to record executives. Despite his talent, he’s unable to get a record deal, and ends up working as a promotion man for Buddah Records. When he’s fired from that job, he decides to start his own label with the help of his close friend, Dennis Parker (Rick Springfield).
The label, which he names Casablanca Records, starts off small, with just a handful of artists, including a young Donna Summer (Jazmine Sullivan). But as the disco craze takes off, so does the label, and Bogart becomes a major player in the music industry.
Along the way, Bogart clashes with his partners, including Bill Aucoin (Neil Patrick Harris), who he feels isn’t giving him the respect he deserves. He also struggles with his addiction to cocaine, which threatens to derail his career and his personal life.
The movie culminates with Bogart’s famous Star Wars-themed party, where he celebrates the success of his label and his own personal triumph over addiction. But his victory is short-lived, as he’s diagnosed with cancer soon after. The movie ends with Bogart’s death at the age of 39, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to influence the music industry for years to come.
Review
Spinning Gold has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the movie’s soundtrack and performances and others criticizing it for glossing over some of the darker elements of Neil Bogart’s life. However, most agree that the movie is a fun and engaging tribute to the disco era, and a must-see for anyone who loves music and pop culture.
Characters & Performance
The performances in Spinning Gold are top-notch, with Jeremy Jordan delivering a standout performance as Neil Bogart. He perfectly captures the charisma and drive that made Bogart such a success, as well as the vulnerability that led to his downfall. Similarly, Neil Patrick Harris is excellent as Bill Aucoin, bringing both a sense of humor and a darker edge to his portrayal.
The supporting cast is also great, with Jazmine Sullivan bringing down the house as a young Donna Summer, and Billy Porter stealing scenes as Little Richard. Even the smaller roles, like Jason Isaacs as Curtis Mayfield and Rick Springfield as Dennis Parker, are well-cast and add depth to the movie.
Effects
While Spinning Gold is not a special effects-heavy movie, it does feature some impressive recreations of the disco era, including vibrant costumes, glittering dance floors, and larger-than-life stage shows. The movie also uses archival footage and photographs to transport viewers back to the 1970s and capture the energy of the time.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack to Spinning Gold is one of the movie’s biggest strengths, featuring classic disco hits like “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, and “Love to Love You Baby” by Donna Summer. The movie also features some lesser-known gems from the Casablanca Records catalog, as well as a few original songs written for the movie. If you’re a fan of disco, this soundtrack is a must-have.
Cinematography
Spinning Gold features bright, colorful cinematography that perfectly captures the glitz and glamour of the disco era. The camera work is lively and energetic, with dynamic tracking shots and sweeping views of the dance floor. The movie’s use of 70s-style split-screen and psychedelic effects also enhance the overall visual style.
Directing
Spinning Gold was directed by Mark Pellington, who is best known for his work in the music industry, including music videos for bands like U2 and Pearl Jam. Pellington brings his music video sensibility to the movie, creating a visual feast that perfectly complements the soundtrack. However, some critics have argued that the movie would have benefited from a more nuanced approach to the story and the characters.
Popular Streaming Platforms
Spinning Gold is set to be released in theaters on March 31, 2023. It’s unclear at this time when the movie will be available on streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu, but it’s likely that it will be available for streaming within a few months of its theatrical release.
How to Watch Spinning Gold
If you’re planning to watch Spinning Gold in theaters, you can check your local movie listings for showtimes and theaters. Some theaters may also offer advanced ticket sales, so make sure to check ahead of time.
Rental and Purchase Options
Once Spinning Gold is released on streaming platforms, it will likely be available to rent or purchase through services like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, or Google Play. Prices for rentals and purchases may vary, so be sure to check your preferred platform for the most up-to-date information.
Pricing and Available Formats
Again, pricing for Spinning Gold is not yet available, but we can expect it to be priced similarly to other movie rentals and purchases. As for available formats, the movie will likely be available in standard definition (SD), high definition (HD), and 4K Ultra HD (UHD) depending on the platform.
Free Streaming Options
At this time, there are no free streaming options for Spinning Gold. However, some streaming platforms may offer free trials to new subscribers, so this could be a good way to watch the movie without paying.
Torrenting and Piracy Warning
We strongly advise against torrenting or pirating Spinning Gold, as it not only hurts the movie’s creators and distributors, but it’s also illegal. If you’re caught pirating movies, you could be subject to hefty fines or even criminal charges. Always watch movies through legal channels to avoid any legal trouble.
VPNs for Geo-Restrictions
If you’re traveling abroad and want to watch Spinning Gold on a streaming platform, you may encounter geo-restrictions that prevent you from accessing the movie. In this case, a VPN (virtual private network) can help you bypass these restrictions by allowing you to connect to a server in a different location. However, be aware that using a VPN may be against some streaming platforms’ terms of service, so use at your own risk.
Recommendations
If you’re a fan of music biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody or Rocketman, you’ll definitely want to check out Spinning Gold. And if you’re a fan of disco or 70s pop culture, this movie is an absolute must-see. Of course, if you’re not a fan of either of those things, Spinning Gold might not be for you. But for everyone else, get ready for a wild ride through the disco era.
