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Movies / On DVD / Instinct
Instinct

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Instinct (1999)

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Reviews Counted:66

Fresh:18

Rotten:48

Average Rating:4.3/10

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
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Instinct

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    41 - 60 (sorted by date)
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    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Elspeth Haughton
    Elspeth Haughton
    Apollo Guide

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Eugene Novikov
    Eugene Novikov
    Film Blather
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Houston Community Newspapers | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Gary Brown
    Gary Brown
    Houston Community Newspapers
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Gary Dauphin
    Gary Dauphin
    Village Voice

    In Instinct, the back-to-nature business takes on a misanthropic tone and a nasty malignancy.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Gary Thompson
    Gary Thompson
    Philadelphia Daily News

    Director Jon Turteltaub keeps both the physical action and the verbal exchanges flowing, gradually revealing the demons that arouse the scholar to murderous fury.

    Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Harvey S. Karten
    Harvey S. Karten
    Compuserve

    Instinct does explore some intriguing ideas, which are showcased in the fine performances of Hopkins and Gooding.

    Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jack Garner
    Jack Garner
    Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

    Solid directing and good acting!

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Most of the drama here is in terribly poor taste, with grown men smashing their heads against walls and wetting themselves.

    Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jason Kaufman
    Jason Kaufman
    Citysearch

    Too simplistic and schematic!

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jay Carr
    Jay Carr
    Boston Globe
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Gooding's mostly believable and delivers a crowd pleasing take on his character.

    Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jim Judy
    Jim Judy
    Screen It!

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    JoBlo
    JoBlo
    JoBlo's Movie Emporium
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Joe Baltake
    Joe Baltake
    Sacramento Bee

    Instinct drags along like Keyser Soze’s gimpy leg, stopping only to feature a few bad cliches.

    Full Review Source: Planet Sick-Boy | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jon Popick
    Jon Popick
    Planet Sick-Boy

    The result is so artificial.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Julie Hinds
    Julie Hinds
    San Jose Mercury News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Two terrific performances!

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Lawrence Toppman
    Lawrence Toppman
    Charlotte Observer

    [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
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Moviereviews.org | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Mac Verstandig
    Mac Verstandig
    Moviereviews.org

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Madeleine Williams
    Madeleine Williams
    Cinematter

    Not in the least instructive or entertaining.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Maitland McDonagh
    Maitland McDonagh
    TV Guide's Movie Guide
     
     
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