CASSIBAL

“Those who dream by day are cognisant of many things which escape those who dream only by night"

I am a lover of poetry, of art, of music, of metaphors that paint the invisible, of lyricism that turns pain into beauty, of a sensitivity that perceives even what the world insists on ignoring.

But now… I crave more. I want to explore short poetry, the lightning that cuts through silence, the wild delicacy that fits inside a handful of words.

My soul has already spoken aloud: melancholy, light, sanctity, questions about God, the system, life, the world.

Now it is time for the shadow. For sin. For the profane.

They too deserve a voice. Not as vulgarity, but as untamed poetry, as a metaphor that sets the body alight, as lyricism that breathes in the dark.

I am both light and shadow, both altar and volcano, both saint and sinner, both long confession and brief poem.

With love, — Phoenix Moon

(The post that no one asked for, but you’re getting anyway)

10. Barbarella (1968)

A cult classic staring Jane Fonda as the sexy traveller from earth, on a mission to find the scientist known as Durand Durand. Honestly this film is amazing and so before it’s time. It has a blind Angel, a sexy evil queen, and a death sex machine! Its so 80s…yet in the late 60s! Seriously Jane Fonda is such an amazing human whether it’s in this or something current like Grace and frankie. She’s reason enough to watch this crazy film.

9. To wong foo (1995)

Okay but Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes in Drag? Yes please. It’s unlike any other drag film I know, especially with straight male leads. It deals with so many serious issues such as homophobia, domestic abuse, transphobia and sexism. It’s hilarious and drag is shown in such a true and positive light. Swayze, Snipes and Leguizamo did their research and portrayed the role of a drag queen perfectly. (Rupaul, Miss Coco Peru, Lady Bunny, Candis Cayne and Quentin Crisp all make an appearance)

8. Death Becomes Her (1992)

This film is another cult classic (you’ll hear that a lot, sorry) staring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis (with hair wow) Who wouldn’t want to stay young forever? It’s campy, creepy and hilarious. There’s so many iconic scenes filled with superb acting, and the love hate relationship between Madeline (Meryl) and Helen (Goldie) is amazing.

7. The Lost Boys (1987)

This film is everything I love combined into one. 80s punk vampires? Yes. It’s so 80s filled with the music, the fashion the hair it’s wonderful. A badass gang of punk vampires lead by the gorgeous Kiefer Sutherland vs Corey Haim and Corey Feldman (the two Corey’s of the 80s) it’s just an absolute masterpiece.

6. Beetlejuice (1988)

Tim Burton is by far my Favourite Director and Writer for film. His movies are what shaped me as a human (human?) Beetlejuice will always have a place in my heart, it’s dark funny and so twisted, Tim Burton creates this other world not unlike our own. Just exaggerated. I think everyone loves Winona Ryder as a melodramatic edgy teen yearning to be apart of the land of those who are recently deceased. The use of the Banana boat song is still one of the best scenes in cinema history.

5. Treasure Planet (2002)

Okay yes, don’t judge me for having an animated film on the list because this film was literally my childhood. Treasure island…but in space! How is that not amazing? Emma Thompson is a humanoid British Cat captain…again another reason it’s the best Disney film of all time. It’s so heartwarming and features some really serious stuff, it’s classic Disney. I highly recommend this no matter your age.

4. Labyrinth (1986)

David Bowie and his glittery crotch of doom. Another 80s masterpiece (can you tell it’s my favourite era?) The music in this movie is superb and the characters created by Jim Henson are amazing. Everything about this movie is magical from the puppetry to David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly’s performance. The ballroom scene takes my breath away every single time, it’s so romantic yet dark since Jareth is trying to distract Sarah so he may keep her as his queen (Honestly seems like a good deal) My heart does ache a little more since Bowie’s passing but atleast he has such a large legacy left behind.

3. The Rocky horror picture show (1975)

A real cult classic, and huge staple for the LGBTQ+ community. I first watched this film at 10 or 11 (probably too young oops) and it immediately became an obsession. This film is part of the reason I’m proud to be who I am today, it gave me so much confidence and pride in being weird or different. Tim Curry is utterly amazing, he is sexy, crazy and talented. Don’t even get me started on it’s soundtrack, Richard O'Brien is so clever. Using references from other classics such as forbidden planet, king Kong and flash Gordon. Honestly this film started my love of musical theatre and Drag.

2. Sweeney Todd (2007)

Tim Burton appears once again. This film combines my two favourite genre’s, horror and musicals. It takes the story from an old Victorian Penny Dreadful of the barber who kills his clients and the baker, who’s desperately inlove with him. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter bounce off eachother so well in every film they do together, Sweeney Todd is no exception. It’s dark, funny and poetically tragic. The score by Stephen Sondheim is amazing and so well written it makes the film what it is.

1. The Silence of the lambs (1991)

A true cinematic masterpiece. Everything about this movie is perfection, not only is it my favourite film, it is also my favourite book. The casting of Sir Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter and Jodie foster as Clarice Starling was pure genius. The chemistry between them is almost frightening as if we are truly watching an interview of a well educated killer, by a green southern FBI agent in training. The camera work, the soundtrack, the lighting, everything was so well thought out throughout the entire film. It’s one I could watch over and over again.