7 Books in Need of Better Films

In a Shallow Grave by James Purdy. The 1988 version (and only film adaptation of the great Purdy's work) starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Biehn was okay, but this romantic, surreal tale could be great.

The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving. Too huge a book for the 1984 Tony Richardson version to handle. Maybe a miniseries?

Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice. The film version tried to squeeze the second and third Vampire Chronicles together and it was awful, sacrificing great characters like Lestat's mother Gabrielle and turning the twins, Maharet & Mekare, into a single character played by Lena Olen (though she was the best part of the film). Make it a trilogy.

The Vintner's Luck by Elizabeth Knox. This hasn't even been released in the States yet, but taking the gay romance between the wine-maker and the angel out of the story is...ridiculous. That was the whole point of this gorgeous tale.

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The miniseries, starring the wonderful Angelica Huston and Joan Allen, otherwise lacked the power and magic of the book.

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman. The toned down film adaptation starring Nicole Kidman was a great disappointment. They took much of anything referring to religion out. Come on. Adapt this well. I want to see the gay angels on film.

Querelle by Jean Genet. The 1982 Brad Davis film is infamous, if not very good. I say adapt it as an animated film in the style of Tom of Finland. That's a perfect fit.