4th-Dimensional Films is the online extension of "The Best of the Film Industry", a book comprising 1,254 film reviews by Van of Urantia. In addition to the reviews, the book features Van of Urantia statements on recreation, art, and films, as well as lists of his favorite actors, actresses, directors, and movie scenes, and the short essay "On the State of the Film Industry and Violence in our Schools".
"This book endeavors to recommend consciousness-expanding films that contain some kind of social, historical, environmental, or spiritual message. All the films in this book have to be good "message-wise," but they also have to be well-done technically and in the areas of scriptwriting, acting, cinematography, direction, and production. I look for all-around good quality, professionally-made films. If the message is good and everything else bad, I won't put it in the book."
"The Best of the Film Industry" is full of films you won't want to miss, but may have because many of these quality films with profound messages never made it big at the box office. Add this to your bookshelf for an all-inclusive, go-to movie guide from one of the worlds greatest contemporary spiritual teachers.
"I hope this book will encourage filmmakers, actors, and actresses to use their talents for higher purposes. The film industry can play a vital role in the future of this planet by using this artful medium as a way to express a myriad of revelatory themes relevant to the growth of the human spirit."
Van of Urantia co-founded Global Community Communications Alliance supporting an EcoVillage comprised of more than 100 members from all over the world; Personality Integration Rehabilitation Program for Teens and Adults; Global Family Legal Services. In addition its affiliates and supporting nonprofit organizations Soulistic Medical Institute and Soulistic Hospice, and Global Change Multimedia also support church programs.
Van of Urantia is a musician, singer/songwriter, and author of several books, including his autobiography, The First Stage Of Light And Life, Into The New Millennium and Teachings on Healing from a Spiritual Perspective.
He is an activist for environmental and social concerns, a humanitarian, and a pioneer in bringing new spiritual concepts to the world.
Earlier on in his life, Van of Urantia was a hopeful actor, beginning at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. He later became, in his early thirties, a professional extra (handled by an agent) used for close-ups in Little House on the Prarie and Father Murphy in Old Tucson, Arizona.
Van of Urantia was additionally used in several made-for-TV movies, including one with Lindsey Wagner filmed in downtown Tucson. He also met Michael Landon (now deceased), Melissa Gilbert (did a scene with her), Merle Olsen (Father Murphy) and Victor French (Highway to Heaven).
Van of Urantia chose not to place music or acting before his first calling, which he felt was to be a human-rights minister. Interestingly, Pope John Paul was an actor in his early life and made the same choice!
As an avid filmgoer for decades, Van of Urantia picked these films after watching every one of them, including a variety of contemporary films from the 1990s and 2000s as well as many of the classics viewed throughout his life. He stated, "This is the only way that you can really do a book like this."
