Rating: 
Summary: It should contain nothing that can't be confirmed or denied
Review: ... In a world like we live in, films like Schizopolis need to be spread far and wide.There really is kind of a plot to this film. Steven Soderbergh, who directed and wrote this film, stars in it as well. An employee who writes speeches for a cult known as Eventualism dies suddenly, and Soderbergh's characater is assigned the task of saving the organization with a new speech, part of which must follow the rules set out in the title of the review. Along the way hilarity ensues. The more I watch the film the more I see and the more my mind spins that anyone thought this up and was able to put it together coherently. To me one of the biggest targets of the film is language. There are characters who speak in substitute words: "Hoodwink scatterbox? Hasty landmine?" "Ambassador jumpsuit landmine.", scenes where the characters speak in generalizations (mentioned in Tom Keogh's review), and the whole last act that replays many scenes in the first act and brings together actions from the second act (where both main characters switch bodies into other characters that are lookalikes), but with Soderbergh's character dubbed in three different languages. And you know what? It doesn't matter because you still know exactly what's going on and you don't really care what they actually say, because it's all damn funny in the process. There is the layer of social commentary as well. TV talk shows where the host is so bored he visualizes naked tree cutting, naked man on a bike (there must be something to comment on there), cult followers of Eventualism, paranoia of the mole, reverse female weight desire, ripping tags off of mattresses, loyalty to your company and projects...the whole thing has to be seen to believed. In my opinion this film is far cleverer and funny than 95% of the comedies being produced today. Definitely funnier than anything involving Julia Roberts falling down multiple times. Challenge yourself to a new experience and check this one out. It's one of a kind.
Rating:
Summary: It should contain nothing that can't be confirmed or denied
Review: ... In a world like we live in, films like Schizopolis need to be spread far and wide. There really is kind of a plot to this film. Steven Soderbergh, who directed and wrote this film, stars in it as well. An employee who writes speeches for a cult known as Eventualism dies suddenly, and Soderbergh's characater is assigned the task of saving the organization with a new speech, part of which must follow the rules set out in the title of the review. Along the way hilarity ensues. The more I watch the film the more I see and the more my mind spins that anyone thought this up and was able to put it together coherently. To me one of the biggest targets of the film is language. There are characters who speak in substitute words: "Hoodwink scatterbox? Hasty landmine?" "Ambassador jumpsuit landmine.", scenes where the characters speak in generalizations (mentioned in Tom Keogh's review), and the whole last act that replays many scenes in the first act and brings together actions from the second act (where both main characters switch bodies into other characters that are lookalikes), but with Soderbergh's character dubbed in three different languages. And you know what? It doesn't matter because you still know exactly what's going on and you don't really care what they actually say, because it's all damn funny in the process. There is the layer of social commentary as well. TV talk shows where the host is so bored he visualizes naked tree cutting, naked man on a bike (there must be something to comment on there), cult followers of Eventualism, paranoia of the mole, reverse female weight desire, ripping tags off of mattresses, loyalty to your company and projects...the whole thing has to be seen to believed. In my opinion this film is far cleverer and funny than 95% of the comedies being produced today. Definitely funnier than anything involving Julia Roberts falling down multiple times. Challenge yourself to a new experience and check this one out. It's one of a kind.
Rating: 
Summary: feverish spontaneity
Review: A refreshing blend of satire and surrealism that showcases a crazy cast having rather bizarre adventures.
Rating:
Summary: Don't look at the poster, don't read the box, just see it
Review: A truly original work... and yet also reminescent of cinematic masters -- Godard, Richard Lester, Hal Hartley... The Monkees. "Truly original yet reminescent?" Yes, that was a contradiction and this movie should have it no other way. This is a great little home-movie all about the hazards of communication and perceptions. And not only is it not boring, it's hilarious and a lot closer to real life than most films that try to serve up straight-faced reflection. Director Steven Soderberg (the guy who did "Sex, Lies & Videotape") just thought this movie up and made it with his own cash -- pretty frightening, actually. And like I said, though the influences are apparent, you've really probably never seen anything like this movie before. Plus, it's got a character who bolts midway thru to be in a different story, the most accurate funeral sequence ever put on film, and a man with no pants riding a bicycle. What more could you ask for?
Rating:
Summary: Don't look at the poster, don't read the box, just see it
Review: A truly original work... and yet also reminescent of cinematic masters -- Godard, Richard Lester, Hal Hartley... The Monkees. "Truly original yet reminescent?" Yes, that was a contradiction and this movie should have it no other way. This is a great little home-movie all about the hazards of communication and perceptions. And not only is it not boring, it's hilarious and a lot closer to real life than most films that try to serve up straight-faced reflection. Director Steven Soderberg (the guy who did "Sex, Lies & Videotape") just thought this movie up and made it with his own cash -- pretty frightening, actually. And like I said, though the influences are apparent, you've really probably never seen anything like this movie before. Plus, it's got a character who bolts midway thru to be in a different story, the most accurate funeral sequence ever put on film, and a man with no pants riding a bicycle. What more could you ask for?
Rating:
Summary: "I thought you said 'A fear is this'."
Review: Between Soderberg's success with Traffic and his penchant for casting Julia Roberts, I recently found it necessary to go back and watch this gem for the 5th time. Just to remind myself of his genius. Perhaps the key to all his work, _Schizopolis_ is highly entertaining, but not for everyone. I don't think anyone else has attempted a plot synopsis, and this is probably wise. I, however, am feeling foolhardy today. This film can be said to be about a man and a few select days in his life leading up to an important event for his career. There, phew! Thematically (and perhaps more importantly) it's primary concerns are language and communication (in particular the levels of truth expressed in the work place and to one's sexual partner[s]). It touches on the breakdown of marriage and (depending on how you read some of the last scenes) renewal of love. It also explores the alienating pressure of the work environment as well as social interaction. It is, perhaps, a dissection of the minutia that make-up suburban middle-class life. And it is just wonderfully funny. Hilarious! Steven Soderberg is a versatile director, and a talented actor. Trying doing a double feature night with _Out of Sight_ or _Erin Brockovich_. Yes, he gets amazing performances out of name actors and it is in those later films that you see plainly the hand of the director at work, but the uncredited cast in Schizopolis are so hauntingly real in every gesture and word that the puppet strings vanish entirely. Really, it is one to own as it should be watched repeatedly. After about the 2nd or 3rd viewing is when one begins to see that there is a plot underneath there somewhere. In fact I suspect it is rigorously structured (but I think I need to see it a few more times before I really get a grip on what that structure is, maybe I'll let you know when I figure it out). I won't lie to you, this movie requires patience, some intelligence and an open mind. Most people just "don't get it" and proclaim this loudly throughout and after the viewing. Yes, its whacky and surreal and lots of strange things happen and it feels disjointed. But try and you just might find you like it. If you don't, go line up for _Oceans 11_, I'm sure that's really good too.
Rating: 
Summary: Nose army landmine? Smell sign!
Review: Every now and again a movie comes along which throws out the rules of movie making and reminds us that anything is possible. "Schizopolis" did this for me last year, as did Sogo Ishi's "Angel Dust," the Brothers Quay's "Institute Benjamenta," and Philip Ridley's "The Passion of Darkly Noon". A wonderful movie.
Rating:
Summary: wonderfully twisted
Review: I found Schizopolis to be an extremely strange, very pleasing film. I think most indie film fans will appreciate it very much. if you like this film, "Kafka", also by Steven Soderberg,is really good too.
Rating:
Summary: Yep, I got a nose army for ya
Review: I got it finally after the, oh, fifteenth viewing. Soderbergh is dissecting himself. The bug guy is his wannabe-wild-and-zany-lady's man side who wants fame and other meglomania and when he gets what he wants, it's all about violence and being a rebel. The guy with the striped socks is his always-trying-to-make-a-smart-and-philosophical-deep-comment side. Him and his (ex)wife have affairs with each other when they put on glasses as if to say they aren't really attracted to each other unless they play a role. First time I saw this film, I was living in Memphis and my girlfriend at the time wanted to take naked pictures of me in a small cardboard box (because she thought it would be funny to see me "boxed in") for a photography class. I told her the only way that would happen is if she bought me a twelve pack or a couple bottles of wine and I rented a movie. I grabbed this one and I never noticed her taking the pictures (Yes, I watched this movie naked and drunk in a small cardboard box. The pictures are hilarious.) Another side note: The guy sitting at the counter in front of the camara when the Number 1 comes out owns this bar I go to too much. By far, my favorite movie of all time. Well, unless you want to include Aguirre Wrath of God or some other movie I find genius in. Or that you find genius in as well. I don't mean to be diminutive to your opinions or feelings. Ok, I'll shut up now.
Rating:
Summary: Yep, I got a nose army for ya
Review: I got it finally after the, oh, fifteenth viewing. Soderbergh is dissecting himself. The bug guy is his wannabe-wild-and-zany-lady's man side who wants fame and other meglomania and when he gets what he wants, it's all about violence and being a rebel. The guy with the striped socks is his always-trying-to-make-a-smart-and-philosophical-deep-comment side. Him and his (ex)wife have affairs with each other when they put on glasses as if to say they aren't really attracted to each other unless they play a role. First time I saw this film, I was living in Memphis and my girlfriend at the time wanted to take naked pictures of me in a small cardboard box (because she thought it would be funny to see me "boxed in") for a photography class. I told her the only way that would happen is if she bought me a twelve pack or a couple bottles of wine and I rented a movie. I grabbed this one and I never noticed her taking the pictures (Yes, I watched this movie naked and drunk in a small cardboard box. The pictures are hilarious.) Another side note: The guy sitting at the counter in front of the camara when the Number 1 comes out owns this bar I go to too much. By far, my favorite movie of all time. Well, unless you want to include Aguirre Wrath of God or some other movie I find genius in. Or that you find genius in as well. I don't mean to be diminutive to your opinions or feelings. Ok, I'll shut up now.
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