5 Things We Love
OK, there are six things here, but what can we say? We love Halloween.
1. ‘Dead’ serious
Local-born actress Sarah Wayne Callies, below, has moved on from her role on Fox’s "Prison Break" to what should be another breakthrough dramatic series for AMC, "The Walking Dead." On the heels of "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad" and "Rubicon," "Dead" deals with a zombie apocalypse that befalls Georgia.
With top-notch talent behind the camera, led by executive producer Frank Darabont ("The Shawshank Redemption," "The Green Mile"), and adapted from a critically received comic book series, the series is driven by an ensemble cast of characters who survive a virus that animates the decaying, and hungry, dead.
Warning: The violence is graphic enough to warrant a R-rating if it were showing in movie theaters, but it is not gratuitous. The developing story and characters are engaging, so if you can stomach the gore, it’s well worth your time.
"The Walking Dead" premieres at 7 p.m. Sunday, Halloween. — Gary Chun
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2. Have you got that spirit?
I ain’t afraid of no ghost — not when it’s from Q-pot. Japan-based designer Tadaaki Wakamatsu has a knack for cute. He can’t muster a scare even at Halloween, and his Halloween Collection 2010 is all about kawaii (cute). The collection includes smiling ghost and baby ghost necklaces with accessories such as a top hat, witch hat or ribbon for dressing your ghost for trick-or-treating. How cute is that?
A baby ghost necklace is $197 and dress-up parts are $53 to $76. The boutique is at Ala Moana Center, across from the Apple Store. — Nadine Kam
3. The eyes have it
While browsing at the Red Pineapple store at Ward Centre, I came across a basket full of plastic eyeballs among the glittered skulls, spider-decorated plates, coffin-shaped bandage boxes and other Halloween items. To demonstrate the appeal, the store owner tapped one against a table, awakening the veiny eye with flashing colors of red, blue and purple. Mesmerized, I bought a pair ($6 each) and have been enthralling friends and co-workers ever since by tapping them together and rolling them across the floor. — Rosemarie Bernardo
4. Costume compromise
If you’re too conservative to go full-frightful on Halloween or your office dress code doesn’t allow it, you can still get your ghoul on by wearing any of the clever costume headbands at Claire’s. Along with Halloween standbys like devil horns and animal ears, there’s the unexpected, like this feathery witch hat ($6.50 — before the half-off discount). Find Claire’s at your neighborhood mall. — Christie Wilson
5. Grog for ghouls
Serve up Witch’s Potion or Raven’s Blood Brew at your Halloween party by transforming ordinary wine, beer and water bottles using decorative, self-adhesive labels perfect for any spooky affair. A package of five costs $2.49 at Price Busters. Other options are available online, including some free printable labels. — Nancy Arcayna
6. Counting candy
Candy corn is easily Halloween’s biggest guilty pleasure. More than 35 million pounds of the yellow, orange and white delight will be made this year, according to the National Confectioners Association. Waxy though it is, candy corn is mostly made of sugar and corn syrup, and a typical serving — 22 pieces — contains 140 calories. But who’s counting? We still love it. — Mike Gordon