The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The National Geographic documentary "Inside Mecca" follows three pilgrims from Malaysia, South Africa, and the United States on their sacred journey to Mecca for the Hajj. Overall this film is very informative, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the rituals practiced in the Islam.Before watching the documentary I had little education and experience with the religion Islam. I knew that one of the five pillars of Islam was the hajj and it is required of all who can manage it, however I didn't understand the complicity this pillar embodied. What amazed me was how challenging yet personal the hajj journey is. In fact while watching this film, you feel somewhat connected to the three totally different lives of the Muslims being followed. In fact, you even get a sense of the claustrophobic feel experience during their pilgrimage.The contrast between the three lives followed shows how personal this journey is. Although the ultimate goal of the Hajj is the same (honoring the covenant), each non-traditional Muslim experienced the five-day quest for salvation differently. For example, not only is trekking through the hot deserts long and tiring, but having to deal with discrimination on arrival due to ethnicity and looks was another struggle both Fidelma and Khalil handled. Overall however this journey is about personal faith. Everyone is there for the same reason, they are all coming from different backgrounds, but they are all equal. This film informed us of the procedure upon entering the holy city. Before entering the holy city, pilgrims undergo a ritual cleansing and declaration of intent to enter ihram, a state of spiritual readiness. All pilgrims dress in simple, uniform attire—two white sheets for men, loose dresses, and head scarves for women. By looking similar and through this process, their goal is to become equal in the eyes of God. My favorite quote states, "All races, all nationalities, all people in one place, concentrated, all in one direction worshipping the one God." Overall this personal journey illustrates the immense faith a religion produces.

"Inside Mecca" documents the pilgrimage to Mecca, or hajj, through three very different perspectives. As I was watching this film, I was amazed to see how communal but personally challenging the hajj is. Each person would have a different experience with separate mental, spiritual and physical challenges. I really liked how National Geographic did this. They personally followed an American, South African and Malaysian through their own walk. They were all non-traditional Muslims, so the discrimination the South African felt because he wasn't white, or the looks the American got when she wore her covering was all very real. Also, the film juxtaposed the masses of Mecca against the personal experiences and lessons of each person which was very thoughtful. Another thing I found to be very interesting was how informative the video was. Before watching this film, I never knew how complicated or strenuous the experience of the pilgrimage could be. I thought what Fidelma, the woman NatGeo had followed, said before her journey was quite profound. "I don't know why anyone would want to spend a week with three million sweaty people and even eat in the desert unless they were really doing this for the love of god." All of these Muslims chose to be there because they have a longing to do so, not because their religion requires them to do it. This documentary also informed me of what each stage of the pilgrimage was for and what it symbolized. Furthermore, the concept of Ihram was so inspiring to see because once the rich, poor, illiterate, literate put on the same robe, you wouldn't see a difference. This way they were able to focus on the soul and not just outer appearances. Overall, I think this documentary was extremely well done and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested or just wants to learn more about Islam and the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Hajj, the ideal journey that every Muslim hopes to make to Mecca. The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic Calendar. This journey is not only physically, but also mentally demanding. Each action reflecting something symbolic to the Muslim faith. Such as: circling the KA'ABA seven times, attending the Plain of Arafat, or throwing stones at the three pillars, etc... All of them have significant meaning to them. It is a life changing experience, it is said that you are a different person after Hajj. It gives you the experience of Ihram, a patient state of mind. It allows you to feel in the presence of God and Muhammad. But in order for the Saudi government to pull this off they must be the model of efficiency, the King of Saudi even said that it is like having five supper bowls simultaneously. It is estimated that 2 million people attend each year during Dhu al-Hijjah. But in the year of the movie filmed it was estimated to be at 3.5 million people embarking on Hajj. The overall concept and in depth personal experiences of non-traditional Muslims was quite entertaining. None of them being your stereotypical Muslim, yet you could feel a sense of pride in their religion. Each of the story lines providing different situations of Hajj. It was definitely a detailed incite of the Journey of Hajj in Mecca and worth watching.

This film shows what a hajj entails to Mecca and its surroundings. If only the hand held camera had not been so jumpy, I found this distracting as I tried to focus on what was going on. Surely there are ways to reduce this!The story such as it is follows 3 Moslems on their hajj. A white female Texan, a Black South African and a Malaysian businessman.I learned a few things I didn't know but kept thinking how much more beautifully the movie could have been shot...it is amateurish with the jerky motions mentioned above, no unique camera angles, and no cinematography input of any note.I guess in the spirit of the Hajj one should not criticize however... The topic gets a 10 this movie a 2...