Sci-Fi 101: What I Really Want For Christmas ...

Some of these works probably are best left on the bookshelf

By DAN COMPORA Dec-22-2009

I hate to admit it, but I am not terribly excited about any of the holiday season blockbusters. Despite a $300 million budget, “Avatar” has not grabbed my attention.

While I am probably going to give Robert Downey Jr.’s “Sherlock Holmes” a try, I have to say it is nothing more than a consolation prize.

On the small screen, even the most optimistic genre fan has to be disappointed in the poor performance of most programming. While “Vampire Diaries” and "Stargate: Universe" have been relative hits, shows like “V” and “FlashForward” have taken nosedives in the ratings. “Dollhouse” has already closed up shop, and one can’t help but think “Fringe” and “Heroes” won’t make it past this season.

I have my own list of works that I would like to see made into quality films, a television series, or even, God forbid, television miniseries. Some of these have already been adapted before, but a quality remake is badly needed. Most of these, however, are simply great works that have yet to be adapted. Consider this my Christmas wish list.

“Ender’s Game” Never has a book seemed so perfect for an adaptation to the big screen. With all the advancements in gaming and technology, this book is even more relevant than when it was originally published in 1985.

“A Song of Ice and Fire” While George R. R. Martin’s epic series has been rumored to be an upcoming HBO series, I won’t believe it until I see it for my own eyes. Fans of this series are used to waiting. The fifth book in the series has been delayed numerous times. Patience is wearing thin for most fans.

“A Wheel of Time” The late Robert Jordan never finished this series, but Brandon Sanderson hopefully will. I don’t see this series translating to film very well, but here’s hoping someone will give it a try.

“I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" Sure, the Terminator and The Matrix films deal with the concept of man being a slave to technology, but Harlan Ellison’s short story is much more shocking and horrific.

“’Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Tick Tock Man” Another Harlan Ellison story that badly needs to be adapted. Sure we’ve seen dystopian futures before, but none quite like this.

“The Nine Billion Names of God” Arthur C. Clarke mixes religion and technology in this superb short story. Tibetan monks buy a computer to help compile every known name of God. I could easily see this as an episode in an hour-long anthology program. I can’t believe it hasn’t been done before.

“Fahrenheit 451” Rumored for years, this film has had its share of difficulty attracting a big name star and making it to the big screen. The 1966 film by Francois Truffaut is horribly outdated. With all of the advancements in digital media, we are getting closer to a bookless society. While it is not exactly the future Ray Bradbury envisioned, it definitely could use an updated treatment.

“Neuromancer” William Gibson practically invented the cyberpunk genre with this 1984 novel. Hollywood mangled his short story “Johnny Mnemonic” though, so perhaps it is best to leave well enough alone.

“Neverwhere” Neil Gaiman’s novel was fun and engaging, but the BBC miniseries was painful to watch. I’ve heard rumors of a big screen version for years. London Above, London Below, Door, the Angel Islington, the Marquis de Carrabas, Croup and Vandemar: if none of these words mean anything to you, you really need to read the book, but stay away from the miniseries.

“The Dark Tower” Stephen King’s mangum opus involving Roland of Gilead and his quest for the Dark Tower may never make it to either the big or the small screen. Of course it’s been rumored, but the story is quite long and, near the end, grew a bit unwieldy. This series started out great, but this reader felt King waited way too long to release Book 4, “Wizard and Glass,” then seeming rushed out the last three books in the series. Still, I’d like to see someone try their hand at this fantasy western.

About the Author: Dr. Dan Compora is an Associate Professor at the University of Toledo. He specializes in science fiction and fantasy literature and folklore. He lives in Lambertville, Michigan.
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