1909 - The Airship Destroyer
    My father-in-law was severely injured in a car accident a few weeks ago.  He was hit by some schmuck going ninety in a fifty mile-per-hour zone, weaving in and out of traffic in his BMW convertible.  What a piece of shit.  Jim (my father-in-law) suffered two cracked vertebrae in this back and seven broken ribs while that asshole broke his collarbone and walked out of the hospital that night.  Jynx (my wife) has gone to stay with him for a while and help out while the physical therapists try to get him back together again.  So, I'm here alone.  I walk to school everyday and have been keeping up on my studies.  I got an A on my first paper and recieved an A+ on my last quiz, so that's good.  But, being a glass is half empty kind of guy, as I am, I can't get my mind off the misfortune that has befallen Jim at the hands of some rich, reckless fuckstick who obviously has no consideration for anyone's safety and thinks that his car somehow isn't capable of hurting anyone.  I hope this guy gets what's coming to him.  He deserved to die in that wreck and I hope someday he finishes the job.  Now that I got that out of my system:
    I saw the most wonderful silent film today.  The Airship Destroyer (1909) follows the attempt of an inventor to fight back a battalion of airships dropping bombs on his city.  This film has it all: romance, action and, above all, great special effects.  It's a short, concise piece of filmmaking that tells a short, consice story.  The use of miniatures is wonderful and the effects have a result similar to those in Voyage to the Moon (1902).  Sometimes one needs to brighten up one's day and I'm happy these little discoveries await me when I need them most.