A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

(Spoiler Alert)This film is a 2005 documentary about the threat of radical Islam in our world today. It does this primarily by using extensive Arab television footage as a means to give us an "insider view" of the radical views Islam extremists have and preach/incite in their campaign of holy war or "jihad". Many parallels are also made between radical Islam and the Nazi campaign in World War II to exterminate the Jews. One of the most profound messages in the documentary is stated in the beginning as, "This is a film about radical Islamic terror. A dangerous ideology, fueled by religious hatred. It's important to remember most Muslims are peaceful and do not support terror. This is not a film about them. This is a film about a radical worldview, and the threat it poses to us all, Muslim and non-Muslim alike." It is fundamentally important that Americans and the rest of the world make the distinction between ordinary Muslims and Islam extremists. Most Muslims are not responsible for the Islamic acts of terrorist that have taken place in our world today. These attacks happen only because Muslim fundamentalists interpret the Qu'ran in their own convoluted way and henceforth use their religion to justify extreme acts of violence and hatred. What is also fundamentally important to be known is that Islam is a religion of love and peace, not the culture of hostility and brutality that is so over portrayed in the Western media.However, this documentary also conveys a cautionary tone. It warns that within the Muslim faith (with a population of 1 billion people), about 10% to 15% of followers believe in or are willing to engage in and conduct acts of extremism and fundamentalism. More than that, these individuals are spread evenly all over the world as opposed to being concentrated in one geographic location, making it more difficult to combat any potential acts of extremism or terrorism should they arise. The film warns that the Anti-American followers consist of an even greater portion of the Muslim faith population. There is a conviction amongst Muslim fundamentalists that the West (United States, Great Britain, etc) is engaged in a conspiracy to subjugate Islam. Henceforth, by their logic, every honorable Muslim and non-Muslim must stand against the West and Israel. Muslim extremists believe that their Jihad is to conquer the world for Allah. Unlike Buddhist followers, who tolerates all manners of faith and religions, Muslim extremists see Islam as against all religions because it is the one and only worthy worship. In a coordinated effort of intolerance, Muslim extremism has permeated the media and used various forms of propaganda to demonize Westerners and Jews. But why else is extremism and fundamentalism so prevalent in Muslim societies? One theory explored in this documentary is that Arab dictators are inciting Muslims to direct their anger and hatred toward Western societies. Using Western societies as a scapegoat, Arab dictators hope that the general Muslim population would think that the societal problems and abuses are perpetuated by the West and not by the dictators themselves. Uniting the Muslim population against a common foreign enemy allows them to stay in power. These dictators claim that the real enemy is modernism because it contradicts Sharia law. Also, by upholding Sharia law, dictators effectively prevent any chances of upward societal mobility and progression where equal rights and opportunities may be open for all. Because this documentary was filmed in 2005 (7 years ago), the legitimacy and relevance of the content in this film should be questioned accordingly. The timestamps of most Arab television footage is pre-2004. However, though the dangers of Islamic terrorism may be not as prevalent or relevant as they were prior to 9/11 or during the peak of the Post Iraq War invasion, the United States nonetheless has a continuing obligation to look after it's civilians and protect them from enemies both domestic and abroad. The Christmas Day bombing of 2009 shows that despite technological advances, Muslim extremists will continue to seek ways to destabilize the American way of life and endanger if not exterminate the lives of Americans whenever the opportunity arises. The fundamental differences between Muslim and extremists…One instance is the differing interpretations of the Muslim word "Jihad". To Muslim radicals, this term implies a sacred and holy war fought against infidels, primarily the United States and Israel, in the name of Allah. For most Muslims however, the term implies an inner struggle to look within you and make yourself a better person (in Arabic). This interpretation is one among many of how Muslim radicals perceive religious texts and themes differently from traditional Muslims. Personally, I believe that this documentary is rather biased or Islamophobic and is more politically oriented as opposed to educating the general population about the presence and causes of radical Islam today. The release of the documentary suggests a post Iraq war agenda for the United States, suggested subtly by the widespread distribution of this film in swing states of the United States prior to the 2008 presidential elections. Also, this film could elaborate more on how radical Islam differs from traditional Islam on a fundamental level and differences in practices, everyday life, or more between the two. Overall, I would recommend this film to anyone curious enough to check it out but not deem it absolutely necessary to watch.

In a recent British poll, George Bush was second to Osama bin Laden and ahead of Kim Jong-Il and Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the person most threatening to world peace. So, since we are about to be ride of the second most dangerous person in the World, maybe we ought to know something about the man the British considers the first. Especially when taxpayers are paying to have the DVD distributed through their local newspapers.Of course, we have to take this film with a grain of salt - maybe a bucket of salt, as it is only promoted by Fox News, Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh and the the right wing Olin Foundation.Despite the fact that one website called the Writer/Director Wayne Kopping "an award-winning filmmaker," I can find no evidence of this and he has only made anti-Muslim films to the best of my knowledge. It has to be noted that his background makes making these films a logical step. Do not expect an unbiased approach.There is a distinct pro-Israel bias in the presentation of information in this so-called anti-extremist Muslim film. The overwhelming data presented is pertaining to those who hate Israel, and by extension we are supposed to believe they hate Westerners. They hate Westerners and the US to the extent that they support Israel. No nation that is not overtly pro-Israel is mentioned, nor are any examples given of terrorist attacks.The question of why they attacked a the US on 9/11 is quickly dismissed as irrelevant and the terrorism is directly attached to religious belief. It is well documented that Osama bin Laden attacked the US because of our military forces in the Islamic Holy Land.Those who watch this expecting an unbiased approach are advised that they are getting the same propaganda that the film criticizes.

An excellent film in the documentary genre which should open the eyes of many Americans that may believe as I did, that many of the Islamic radicals are simply a misunderstood and disenfranchised group of people. I get it now! I consider myself a well read person, and yet until now, I never made the parallel between the present day Islamic radicals and Nazism in the 30's. I must say that the parallel is valid and certainly true considering the rhetoric expounded by the clerics in the film regarding the state of Israel. I for one will never again lament the cause and or foundation for their hatred of our society as a whole and that of the Jewish people.

Filled with facts and interviews along with clips from Islamic TV, Obsession looks to provide the real reason for incidents like 9/11.This movie went above and beyond to say "Hey, wake up America! . It's not anything you do or did, it's that you're not a radical islamist too!" The most disturbing sections IMHO were the "man on the street" style videos that show the effect of radical muslims training children as young as 4 years old to "stab and burn" anyone not aligned with their beliefs. Seeing children with that much hate instilled in them will give most viewers pause. Many we were watching with were crying. Though it could have been more detailed, what it does provide is an insightful and eye-opening look into radical Islam. If you're looking for a fact based film to combat the clutter you hear, this is it.A word of caution though, this movie is NOT suitable for children. OT: Also, someone should make Rosie O'Donnell watch this after her rant against Christians on ABC.