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Movies / On DVD / Instinct
Instinct

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Instinct (1999)

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Reviews Counted:15

Fresh:3

Rotten:12

Average Rating:3.8/10

Consensus: A convoluted and predictable plot overshadows the performances.

Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Theo Caulder (Gooding, Jr.) is an ambitious psychiatric who has been asked by his mentor Ben Hillard (Sutherland) to evaluate the case of legendary anthropologist and primatologist Ethan Powell... Theo Caulder (Gooding, Jr.) is an ambitious psychiatric who has been asked by his mentor Ben Hillard (Sutherland) to evaluate the case of legendary anthropologist and primatologist Ethan Powell (Hopkins). Powell- a highly educated man who holds an ominous secret in his past- is currently being held captive in a maximum security prison for the critically insane. In an attempt to understand the actions of this headline-gripping madman, Caulder elicits the aid of Powell's estranged daughter, Lyn. Risking his career and his life, Caulder's ambition drives him to find the truth, regardless of the cost. Both men become psychologically connected as their relationship changes from psychiartrist and prisoner to student and teacher. [More]

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding, Donald Sutherland, Maura Tierney

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding, Donald Sutherland, Maura Tierney, George Dzundza, John Ashton, John Aylward, Marc Macaulay

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Director: Jon Turteltaub
Screenwriter: Gerald Di Pego
Producer: Barbara Boyle, Michael Taylor
Composer: Danny Elfman

[See More Credits]

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Release:

May 6, 2003

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Instinct
  • Don't miss Academy Award(R)-winners Anthony Hopkins (Best Actor, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, THE INNOCENT) and Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Best Supporting Actor, JERRY MAGUIRE, PEARL HARBOR) in this highly provocative psychological thriller from the hit-making director of PHENOMENON and WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING! In a prison for the criminally insane, deranged anthropologist Ethan Powell (Hopkins) is set to be examined by a bright young psychiatrist, Theo Caulder (Gooding). Driven by ambition and a hunger for the truth, Caulder will eventually risk everything -- even put his very life on the line -- in a harrowing attempt to understand the bizarre actions of this madman! Also starring Donald Sutherland (A TIME TO KILL, DISCLOSURE) and Maura Tierney (FORCES OF NATURE, LIAR LIAR) in a first-rate cast -- Powell and Caulder's adventure of the mind is a riveting journey of discovery ... no matter what the cost!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
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    Reviews for Instinct

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    06/18/08
    Dennis Harvey
    Dennis Harvey
    Variety
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
    07/21/05
    Houston Chronicle
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
    11/06/02
    Jeff Strickler
    Jeff Strickler
    Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    03/22/02
    Globe and Mail
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
    08/09/01
    Andrew O'Hehir
    Andrew O'Hehir
    Salon.com
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
    02/14/01
    Los Angeles Times
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    Gooding hurts the film more than his energetic presence helps it!

    Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bob Fenster
    Bob Fenster
    Arizona Republic
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    Instinct is the second one in a row that Gooding lifts out of mediocrity by the sheer force of his talent, intelligence and personality.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bob Graham
    Bob Graham
    San Francisco Chronicle
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Gary Dauphin
    Gary Dauphin
    Village Voice
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    Solid directing and good acting!

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
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    Too simplistic and schematic!

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jay Carr
    Jay Carr
    Boston Globe
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    The result is so artificial.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Julie Hinds
    Julie Hinds
    San Jose Mercury News
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    [Hopkins and Gooding Jr.] keep Instinct afloat on its sea of simplisms through a succession of climaxes until at last it reaches its unavoidable ending.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Lawrence Van Gelder
    Lawrence Van Gelder
    New York Times
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    Heavy on formula and lean on revelation.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Michael Wilmington
    Michael Wilmington
    Chicago Tribune
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    Instinct" is a marketing hook attempting to pass itself off as a movie.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Owen Gleiberman
    Owen Gleiberman
    Entertainment Weekly
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Peter Rainer
    Peter Rainer
    New York Magazine
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    Regardless of how familiar the storyline and characters seem, everyone connected with the movie seems to think it's of invaluable importance. Instinct is one suffocatingly pompous flick.

    Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Philip Wuntch
    Philip Wuntch
    Dallas Morning News
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    Hands-down worst movies of the season!

    Full Review Source: Mr. Showbiz | comment 2 Comments
    01/01/00
    Richard T. Jameson
    Richard T. Jameson
    Mr. Showbiz
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Sloppily structured, snoozily paced!

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Rita Kempley
    Rita Kempley
    Washington Post
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    Gooding is at his best!

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Robert Horton
    Robert Horton
    Film.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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