#halloween party dabbing alien

[noisycowboyglitter]

Dabbing Aliens Take Over Halloween: Fun Costume Ideas for All Ages

Imagine a Halloween night where the unexpected meets the extraterrestrial. A peculiar figure emerges from the shadows, not a ghost or goblin, but a visitor from another world - a dabbing alien.

Buy now:19.95$

This cosmic creature stands out among the traditional trick-or-treaters. Its body is sleek and elongated, with skin that shimmers in iridescent hues of green, purple, and blue. A large, bulbous head houses enormous, almond-shaped eyes that gleam with otherworldly intelligence. Spindly fingers extend from long, slender arms, while its lower body tapers to delicate, almost wispy legs.

But what truly sets this alien apart is its pose. Instead of probing or abducting, it's frozen mid-dab. One arm stretches outward, while the other bends across its face, mimicking the popular dance move. The juxtaposition of an advanced being performing such a mundane, earthly gesture creates a comical and endearing scene.

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The alien's costume - if it can be called that - incorporates classic Halloween elements. A tiny witch's hat perches precariously atop its oversized cranium, and a miniature jack-o'-lantern bucket dangles from one thin wrist, filled with an assortment of Earth candies and mysterious glowing orbs.

This dabbing alien embodies the playful spirit of Halloween, blending sci-fi with pop culture. It represents the holiday's ability to transform the strange and unfamiliar into something fun and approachable. As it dabs its way through decorated neighborhoods, it reminds us that even beings from across the galaxy can't resist the allure of Halloween hijinks.

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"Funny Dab Boys Kids Girl" captures the essence of youthful exuberance and modern pop culture. Picture a group of children, boys and girls alike, striking the iconic dab pose with infectious enthusiasm. Their faces beam with joy and mischief as they freeze mid-dab, one arm outstretched, the other bent across their faces.

These kids, ranging from elementary to early teens, wear bright, mismatched outfits that reflect their vibrant personalities. Some sport backwards caps or quirky sunglasses, adding to the playful atmosphere. Their energy is palpable, as if they've just won a game or shared an inside joke.

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The scene embodies the carefree spirit of childhood, where trends like dabbing become a language of their own. It's a snapshot of pure fun, showcasing how a simple dance move can bring together boys and girls in a moment of shared, silly celebration.

[theselfshippingwitch]

Orionids! How do your SI/FOs view them? Viewing setups, mood enhancers, where do they go?

First of all, that name is an awesome title for a Saturday morning cartoon show about some space warriors and their silly talking pet alien.

Second of all, you KNOW Ray knows all about the Orionids and is so excited to stay up past midnight to watch them. But they are also smack dab in the middle of Violet's busy season. Right now, she has SO many parties and events to attend because everyone wants the Princess of Horror at their Halloween celebration. On the night of the Orionids, Ray and Violet (and the rest of the Ghostbusters) are attending the masquerade ball held annually at the castle of Charles Foster Hearse III, publisher of Spooks Illustrated Magazine (which both the Ghostbusters and Violet have been on the cover of multiple times). Violet is dressed as a dryad, Her dark green ballgown adorned with emerald leaves sprouting from diamond vines cascading from the corset to the full tulle skirt, and the mask covering her face (which she made herself) is made of twigs. Ray whisks her away from this party at midnight, into the black limousine waiting outside where her change of clothes is all laid out for her as her driver, Charlie, escorts them both to the woods outside of town where the sky is clearer and darker than in the city. Ray has hats, gloves, scarves and a big blanket to wrap around the two of them as they watch the meteors falling in the sky like rain. They sip the Pumpkin coffee Ray brought in a thermos and cuddle close. For the first time in nearly two months, Violet can breathe in the cool night air and relax.

[how-masterful]

31 Fics Of Fright

Day 9- Heart Breaking and Entering

Delgado!Master x Reader

Prompt: Resurrect

Notes: Pre writing these actually helps so much. I also quite like this fic too! Luck of the draw would mean Ainley got this one (after being crispy yknow) But considering the other fics he got... i’m also looking forward to those.

Warnings: None

Fat tears rolled down your cheeks, an aching sat deep within your chest. The Brigadier had dismissed you all, sending you home to try and enjoy the rest of your Halloween night. Benton and Mike had opted for a night at the pub, Jo had some old school friends that had asked her to a party, while the Brigadier simply needed to go lay down in a dark room. The Doctor was… the Doctor. Halloween was never really about the spooks or the scares, it was just another night in the endless cycle of years a Timelord lived. 

The Brig had been cordial enough, checking in on you as the on site medic checked over the scrapes and wounds you’d gathered from that night's attack: Living pumpkins, grown with alien infused soil to cause havoc on the Earth's ecosystem, awakened when exposed to the heat of the candles after carving. He’d nodded at your presence, thanking you for your help and excusing you to go home and get some rest. The medic had done the same, giving you a ghost shaped sweet as he sent you on your way. 

You’d gotten into your car and driven home, the world passing you by in a flurry of movement, arriving in your driveway and simply sitting in your car. You’d sat there for a good while, letting the agony build and explode out of your chest in a trembling sob. The house, the car, even the persona you’d built at UNIT, all meant nothing anymore. Because the whole reason you were here on earth hadn’t made it out. 

The Master hadn’t survived the night.

You’d expected him to walk out of the building in a blaze of glory, sweeping you from your feet and carrying you to safety. But it hadn’t happened like that at all. UNIT had brought in artillery way heavier than you’d anticipated. Firefighters were still trying to quell the factory blaze for hours after it had started. The threat had been assassinated, much to the Doctor’s chagrin, and the Master had been taken out with it. At least, that’s what you’d presumed when he hadn’t escaped in time. When they hadn’t found his body.

You’d eaten the sweet, but it hadn’t helped. You dabbed at your eyes with the corners of your sleeve, looking up from the wheel of the car to look at your front door. The door was ajar, only slightly, but enough to know somebody had walked inside the house. You felt the anxiety build within your stomach- this was the last thing you needed. The Master was dead, and now you were being robbed. Brilliant.

Exiting the car and making sure to close the door quietly so as to not alert the intruder, you crept towards the front door of your house, pushing open the door further and stepping inside. You had a wooden bat hidden among the items in the umbrella stand, your hand reaching out to grasp the weapon on instinct. The house was quiet, terrifyingly so. You anticipated where the intruder could be- the house wasn’t as it usually was, the cartoon eyes of the Halloween decorations you’d indulged in watching your every move. The training UNIT had given you kicked in- keep to the wall, balls of your feet, don’t make a sound.

 The living room was empty as you crept through the threshold, looking in every direction to ensure you weren't about to be surprise attacked. It was then that you heard the bathroom door above shut, your blood running cold. You knew the stairs like the back of your hand, avoiding the creaking and squeaky spots as you thought through every possibility. 

Was this intruder about to rob you? Kill you? Assault you or… worse? 

You paused on the stairs as the intruder went into the bedroom, and you took a moment to catch your breath. Composure would be key if you were about to try and take on a random stranger. You were already running on the high of mourning, anger and hurt rushing through your veins like a drug. Whoever was in this house would be sorry they ever tried.

Step by step the bedroom came closer, and you prepared yourself for the attack. Bat swung behind your head you prepared to strike, foot ready to kick in the door and reign down hell. A countdown silently broke on your lips, and on three you pounced. The door flew open under the power of your boot, bat raised high in the air, fire in your lungs. You let out a yell as you charged forward into the bedroom, when you suddenly paused mid action, the yell dying on your tongue.

 You felt like a bat had been swung at your own stomach, a sickness of bile slithering up your throat. This was no intruder, at least not a stranger. A pile of singed clothes thrown on the floor besides a pair of chelsea boots, a comb on the vanity, and the spare pair of pajamas now worn. The bat slipped through your fingers and crashed to the floor. 

The Master smiled from his perch at the end of the bed.

“Been out smashing more pumpkins, my dear?” He asked. You felt your mouth drop open.

“How… how are you… what?” the words stumbled and stuttered out of your lips, hands falling to your sides. The Timelord looked at you curiously, waiting for you to explain.

“Why did you break in?”

The Timelord tilted his head in confusion.

“I have a key, dear. I’d hardly call that breaking in.”

Of course he did. How could you forget that? You sighed, sniffling and daring to look into his eyes. It hurt, the pain in your chest, although it was starting to fade. The comedown somehow hurt more than the initial impact, your hands trembling once more.

“How… how are you alive?”

“One usually has to die for that to occur, my dear. And since that hasn’t occurred to this body yet-”

He was cut off by the impact of your arms being thrown around his shoulders, the tears returning to pool in the corners of your eyes.

“I thought you’d died back there, they couldn’t find you… the explosion-”

You clutched the Master tightly in your embrace pushing your face into the collar of the black pajamas. You always kept a pair for him, just in case you could ever convince him to stay.

“My dear, I can assure you I’m perfectly unharmed.”

He purred calmly, taken aback by the hug, but allowing you to keep hold. Your hands found his shoulders and you suddenly pulled away, staring at him curiously through your damp tears.

“You aren’t a vampire, are you? Are alien zombies a thing?”

The Master smirked, shaking his head and taking both of your hands into his own.

“Unfortunately, yes. But i’m certainly not one of them.”

“Oh good,” You nodded in agreement, nibbling on your bottom lip. The Master was about to speak, when your face perked into the same alarmed expression once again.

“You never said no to being a vampire.”

This time the Master finally laughed.

[justclever]

Meatball eyeballs

Meatball eyeballs movie#

It's an immensely entertaining film that disregards modern special effects and proves that the splatter genre is still alive and kicking. "Meatball Machine" is "Tetsuo The Iron Man" mixed up with "Alien" all done in low budget and extra ketchup mode. Though you can easily recognize the cheapness of the film, necroborgs are A-movie class. Able to transforms various parts of the body into cool weaponry such as saws, rocket launchers, blood-firing shotguns and so on and so on. Without the usage of CGI Amemiya's designs are a breathtaking fusion of flesh and metal, painfully awesome in their appearance. The necroborgs as they are called in "Meatball Machine" look stunningly detailed. Done by Keita Amemiya who's work in creating outlandish creatures and costumes for both movies and video-games is well known. The movie's main attraction besides the violence and gore (like I haven't mentioned that enough already) are the cyborg designs. It's not exactly painful for the ears but it's not exactly good either. Acting is what you would expect from a no budget splatter film. And yes it too luckily shows more violence. There is a subplot focusing on how the parasite that infected the girl came into to their lives. The plot is simple, relatively clichéd but it does it's job well enough setting the movie's course straight forward into a bloody confrontation between the two leading characters. Will he succeed? Who gives a damn, as long as there is carnage and death I'm satisfied. Boy, in turn does also transform into said thing, and goes on a quest to save his love. Girl gets infected by a parasitic alien creature that turns her into a homicidal cyborg. Boy loves girl but is too afraid to ask her on a date. "Meatball Machine" follows the well known plot. It's not something you'll end up writing books about but it's nevertheless entertaining if you dig this type of cinema. First of what is "Meatball Machine" ? A simple in noway pretentious low budget industrial splatter flick packed with great make up effects and gore. I doubt I'll ever get a chance to see the original so I'll just stick commenting on this one.

Meatball eyeballs movie#

The olives / tomato / pasta / cheese combo is a beaut Halloween or not.Directed by the duo Yudai Yamaguchi (Battlefield Baseball) and Jun'ichi Yamamoto "Meatball Machine" is apparently a remake of Yamamoto's 1999 movie with the same name. But that’s ok because, y’know, blue cheese! Serve onto plates and top with the eyeballsĪs I said it looked better last time – I used cream cheese which didn’t melt as much so there was still more of the look of the eyeball. Make a tomato sauce to taste (I used tomato puree, garlic and chilli)ĭrain the spaghetti and stir in the “bloody” sauce Meanwhile, add the tagliatelle to boiling water. Italian seasoned ground chicken meatballs in a. Pop in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes Make this easy, tasty recipe for meatball eyeballs for your next Halloween party or to just surprise the kids. Slice some pitted olives into two and push each half into the cheese. Shove some cheese into the thumb shaped hole Make an indent in each one (your thumb is a perfect size) Place one mozzarella slice (with olive) on top of each meatball. Place one sliced black olive on top of each mozzarella slice. Slice meatballs in half so that they lay flat. Drizzle marinara sauce over cooked pasta. Meatballs (I used pre-made for convenience but of course you can make your own)Ĭheese (I used blue stilton expecting veiny eyes, but last time cream cheese kept it’s state better) Prepare Mama Mancini’s meatballs according to package directions. For the eyes, put a dab of extra sauce on each meatball. Push a mozzarella ball deep into each meatball, pressing the edges around the mozzarella. in the palm of your hand, then place a mozzarella ball in the middle and mold the meatball around it. each, and set on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roll meatball mixture into balls, about 1 T. Serve up plates of the cooked spaghetti with warm pasta sauce. Mix together all ingredients for meatballs. I messed with a tested method tonight and it didn’t work out, aesthetically, as good, but taste wise it was ace. Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes, turning once during the baking time, until they are brown and the centers are no longer pink. Notes Cook the pasta in salted water to start adding flavor to the dish straight away. Garnish with fresh parsley, if using and serve. Fill in the gaps between the meatballs with more 'eyeballs'. I first made it around 6 years ago, when we used to decorate the flat and have people round and stay up until stupid o’clock. Place the meatballs on top of the pasta, and top each meatballs with a piece of sliced bocconcini and a sliced olive to make an eyeball. This is a fun Halloween dinner if you’re staying in tonight.

[hypnobyl]

CatCo covers the Pumpkin Spice Season. Cat chooses Kara and herself to try them all out... together...

Part of being an alien is having a voracious appetite. Unfortunately, there’s nothing in her alien genes that protects her from how bad pumpkin spiced anything tastes. She doesn’t understand the human predilection for the taste. She never thought she’d have a least favorite gourd, but the fall season has brought out a rage she hadn’t known about. Still, she grits her teeth and smiles pleasantly when Cat takes her along for ‘research’ into all the new pumpkin spiced delights available all over National City.

“I need a second opinion before I make any judgments,” Cat reminds her as they walk to the first coffee shop.

“Carter wasn’t interested?” She keeps her tone light and happy, despite the dread pooling in her stomach.

“He’s with his father.”

Kara doesn’t dare inquire further. Carter’s father is a sore spot for Cat because he’s actually decent. He enjoys the weekends he gets with his son, and Carter always comes home glowing and chattering about all the new and cool things Dad took him to do. Cat shouldn’t measure herself against him, especially since she’s the custodial parent, but she does. Carter never responds this way to the activities they do together.

“I’m sure he would have wanted to come.”

“Hm.”

Feeling like she’s killed Cat’s mood, which had been bordering on pleasant, Kara quickly tries to change the topic. “Have you chosen a costume for Halloween?”

“Dressing up is for children.”

“I’m going as Amelia Earheart. Winn is hosting a little party, and he didn’t say we had to dress up, but he sort of implied it. It’s sorta fun, too, I think.”

“You know a lot about dressing up in a costume, I suppose.”

Kara flushes and fiddles with her glasses. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, Ms. Grant.”

Cat eyes her. “Aren’t we past this?”

“I was hoping we could keep pretending, so that I don’t have to tell my other boss you know,” she says very quietly. “And as long as we’re pretending, you don’t have to fire me.”

Cat pulls the door open and ushers Kara inside. “I won’t fire you, but I expect the truth from this moment forward. Am I clear?”

“Yes.”

“Then we can keep pretending.”

Kara places their orders--two of everything pumpkin spiced--and pays with Cat’s credit card. While she waits, she watches Cat select the perfect table; for whatever reason, she chooses a table with one chair in direct sunlight and the other in the shadow. Cat takes the shaded seat and serves her a smirk from across the room. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Cat were being nice and accommodating her preferences. Her heart thuds that much faster.

She spreads their feast across the table and sits. Cat leans forward to select a muffin, so Kara does the same. Cat eats daintily, pulling the paper back and nibbling, but Kara knows she has to eat this fast before her face can react to the taste. She wolfs it down and waits patiently while Cat finishes.

“You’ve got something.” Cat reaches over and very gently dabs her finger to the corner of Kara’s lips. “A crumb.”

“May I ask you something?” Kara fidgets, trying to channel a bit of her super alter-ego. “This sort of feels like… like a little more than just researching for an article. It sort of, well, it feels like a… date.”

“Is there a question in there?”

“Is it?”

Cat considers her carefully and sips her spiced latte. “Since we’ve recently decided to be honest with one another, yes.”

“Oh.”

“Would you prefer to go home now?”

“No! Of course not.” Kara grabs Cat’s hand. “It’s just unexpected.”

Cat allows her grip to remain, which assures Kara that this is indeed real and not some cruel joke.

“Do you want it to be a date?”

“Yes,” Kara answers quickly. She can’t count how many times she’s looked at Cat in her office and wanted to be a part of the older woman’s life. Naturally, she’s drawn to Cat’s sharp looks, but she’s come to appreciate the subtle kindness under the rough surface. The little moments that went unnoticed or ignored are the ones that define Cat, like letting Kara sit in the brilliance of the sun when a half dozen other tables were available.

Cat relaxes back against her chair, and Kara releases her wrist. “May I ask you a question in return?”

Kara’s mind races; Cat wouldn’t just ask about her extracurricular activities or home planet out in the open. Still, Cat had just been painfully honest with her, so Kara wants to attempt the same. “Yes.”

“Do you like pumpkin spice?”

For a split second, Kara almost sputters out reassurances that yes, she loves pumpkin spice, and that’s why she agreed to come with. But she remembers she needs to be honest, even if it’s hard. She ducks her head. “No, I don’t.”

“I thought so.”

Her head snaps up. “Then why did you bring me?”

“Kara, did you really think I’d write an article about pumpkin spiced goods in the city? That sort of banal content could be covered by one of the rookies.”

This had been planned, which means that Cat’s interest in her came before the Supergirl confirmation. Kara feels light and floaty, but she keeps her feet on the ground. “So, why did you make me think it was for an article.”

Cat is quiet for a long moment. “I needed a backup plan if you weren’t responsive. I was afraid you’d reject me.”

Kara flushes with pleasure. “The only thing I want to reject right now is all of this.” She gestures to the table and finally lets her face truly express her disgust. “How can you enjoy any of this? Pumpkins are gross.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”

[sensitive-pigeon]

3. Things you said too quietly (Wayhaught)

“It’s this Saturday night and you need to dress up appropriately,” Waverly said over the sounds of Alien. Nicole grunted her assent from the couch. 

Maybe it was the wind hitting the windowsill at the right angle, or the alien finally appearing, or the ka-chunk of the stapler nailing another smiling bat to the wall, but Nicole did not hear (and would testify to her dying day as such) the words, “It’s a funeral.”

Late is a permanent state of mind with hours like Nicole’s. It was almost nine when she finally got the chance to hit the store.

Nicole charged the poor staff member in full police uniform. “I need a costume for a party, quick, please.”

The teenager looked at her blearily for a moment before looking to the shelf. “Werewolf?”

“Absolutely not. I need something simpler.”

Nicole ran out of the Walmart with her Halloween costume, carrying some extra stuff because Waverly didn’t like her being late but she did like those small chocolate things and Nicole definitely heard her small comments about cookie scented candles and everything was going so fast and --

She was late.

Nicole texted a quick update and sped off to the address. She passed the sign, briefly thinking ‘An appropriate place for a Halloween party,’ before finding a space to park outside the funeral home.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Waverly lied over her small glass of wine, “He was a good man, a good father.”

Stephanie dabbed at her terrible makeup, sobs still breaking through. The act almost fooled Waverly. Almost. “I just can’t believe he’s gone.”

Waverly didn’t mention the fact everybody in town had seen the heart-attack from a mile away because he weighed as much as three people and couldn’t fit in a regular casket. Nor did she mention that she knew Stephanie was number one in the will and trying to score points. Instead, she gave a small smile to the blubbering daughter and finally excused herself to check Nicole’s text.

NH Wave: You have a suit AND a dress in the closet I don’t understand?Wave: BabyWave: You know this is a funeral right?

Terrible understanding washed over Waverly.

The doorbell rang. She looked up from her phone with an expression of pure horror as the funeral director bowed politely out of a conversation to get the door. Heads turned in curiosity at the latecomer.

Waverly, in heels, moved to stop him. 

Too late.

The man opened the door to greet Waverly’s very own idiot, Nicole Haught, dressed as the goddamn Grim fucking Reaper and holding a bottle of wine along with a cheap plastic scythe. The only mercy – or perhaps the worst part – was that the robe hid her face completely from view.

Complete and utter silence descended across the room.

“I… may have made a small mistake,” admitted Death.

The sounds of Stephanie’s shriek and breaking glass almost covered the director’s affronted “Who in the hell are you? You think this is funny?” and Nicole’s eloquent response of “Oh, shit, my bad.”

A sea of outraged faces returned the greeting. Waverly dashed forward, grabbing her heels off her feet, and pulled Nicole from the porch before a wine glass could shatter against her. 

Needless to say, people were just a little bit upset.

Waverly ducked another as they bounded down the steps together. Stephanie’s furious and nigh-incoherent shouts followed them across the lawn.

Stressed, tired of Stephanie, and a little tipsy, Waverly felt a laugh betray her as they fled into the graveyard and left dozens of uptight upper-class tarts in absolute disarray. 

Waverly turned on the Grim Reaper underneath a willow tree. “Nicole Haught, I love you, but you are in so much trouble.”

The aspect of death slumped and pulled back her hood, revealing that apologetic face that Waverly had trouble being mad at. “I’m so sorry, Waverly, I swear I didn’t –”

“Don’t,” Waverly interrupted. She took a deep breath, paced a little, and snatched the wine bottle. She opened it and took a long drink.

Nicole watched in awe as Waverly kept drinking, and drinking, and drinking, before finally stopping with a grimace. She set the bottle down with extra care on a nearby headstone before turning back to Nicole, arms crossed.

A tired sigh. “Thank you for saving me,” Waverly said.

Nicole blinked in confusion. “Uhm…”

“I hate every single person there,” Waverly admitted, voice heavy with exhaustion, avoiding Nicole’s gaze, “And they hate me too. I just wanted to show up with you there and just watch them have conniptions and maybe show off a little because everybody in this town loves you and you chose me and we’re engaged –”

“Baby,” Nicole said as Waverly started to cry and she dropped the scythe to the grass, agonized. She gently took Waverly’s face in her hands, tilting her chin up, but before Nicole could apologize again Waverly continued.

“But this was so much better,” Waverly said with a smile through the tears, “Did you see the look on her face?”

Nicole grinned. “I did.” She carefully wiped tears away with the pad of her thumbs, noticing how tired Waverly was, always noticing, and her voice turned soft. “Let’s make tonight about you, okay?”

Waverly leaned into the touch, humming her agreement as the wine hit her like a train. Nicole easily took most of her weight and began to steer them both back to the car. “And guess what?” 

“Mm?”

“Waverly Earp, I love you to death.”

A grave mistake. Nicole slept on the couch that night. 

Well, Waverly did too, but it’s the principle of the thing that counts.

[crowdvscritic]

round up // OCTOBER 19

Let me confess the embarrassing reason I learned I love October this month: I get to use the word “spooky.” Sure, I’m here for the the Halloween candy and costumes, the changing fall leaves, and all the pumpkin treats that appear about this time, but all of those (including a good costume party) can be found the other 11 months of the year. What you can’t find any other month of the year? A reason to call something “spook-tacular.”

I’m not much of a horror fan, but there is something about watching a spooOOOooky story with zombies, aliens, or ghosts that just feels right this month. You can find picks with all of those below, plus essays and podcasts and music (oh my!) that were new to me this month. And yes, I can confirm: They are all spook-tacular.

October Crowd-Pleasers

Alien (1979) on the Big Screen

It holds up on the big screen, and it’s still tense upon second viewing. I much enjoyed the shrieks of the woman behind me who clearly had not seen it before. 

Crowd: 9/10 // Critic: 8/10

Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

I reviewed this sequel for ZekeFilm, and bottom line: it’s the funniest movie I’ve watched this year. 

Crowd: 10/10 // Critic: 7.5

RealSimple Essays About the Power of Art

Both of these sweet essays in RealSimple focus on the power of art to shape our relationships and the next generation:

“How My Daughter and I Connect Over Our Favorite Pastime” by Elizabeth McCracken

“How One Mother Used a Little Free Library to Teach Her Daughter Empathy” by Melissa Hart

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)

Movie stars, people. Don’t underestimate the power they have to make a hackneyed story full of personality. 

Crowd: 8.5/10 // Critic: 6.5/10

SNL Highlights

All three hosts on SNL this month were solid. These were the skits that made me laugh the hardest:

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in “The War in Words: William and Lydia”

David Harbour in “Father-Son Podcasting Microphone” and “Grouch (Joker Parody)”

Chance the Rapper in “Judge Barry” and “E-Sports Reporter”

Beetlejuice (1988)

I’ve never ranked most of Tim Burton’s work high on my need-to-watch list, but the spirit of Halloween got the better of me this time. I still don’t care for some of how it handled the occult, but I laughed all the way through this creative afterlife fable with a stacked ‘80s cast. What a gem, that Winona Ryder. 

Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 8/10

October Critic Picks

Ad Astra (2019)

Say hey to my front-runner for best movie of 2019. I’m a sucker for a space movies, and this decade has turned out a strong bunch. If you liked Gravity, Intersteller, or Arrival, you’ll like this new Brad Pitt space adventure that still finds perspective all its own. 

Crowd: 8/10 // Critic: 10/10

The Happiness Lab

I’m still digging into this podcast about the science of happiness, but so far I’m fascinated by how our minds interpret the worlds around us. If Yale prof Dr. Laurie Santos thinks even I can learn from Olympians like Michelle Kwan, this podcast must have the potential to work miracles.

Reply All episode #149 Feral Hogs

This episode is a bizarre microcosm of our culture’s gun control debate. Who knew wild pigs could contribute to a healthy conversation on that?

Calico by Brooke White

Brooke White describes her music as “smack dab in the middle of Nashville and Laurel Canyon,” and this album captures all the whimsy and warmth that comes with that mood.

JESUS IS KING by Kanye West

If more Christian music were this innovative, I would listen to more Christian music.

Also in October...

On SO IT’S A SHOW?, Kyla and set sail on The Love Boat and revisited one of our listener-favorite, Halloween-ready episodes about Misery.

Until December (when Christmas season will finally be upon us!), find out what movies I’m watching (and sometimes briefly reviewing) on Letterboxd. Plus, you can find more pieces at ZekeFilm.

Photo credits: RealSimple, SNL, The Happiness Lab, Reply All, Brooke White, Kanye West. All others IMDB.com.

[dk-thrive]

This is why I refused to die

Toward the end of the evening, Dominick ceremoniously brought out his glorious special dessert, which he makes every year for the party, a mound of croquembouche: pastry cream–stuffed profiteroles piled high into a cone-like mound and linked with crunchy strands of caramel. My mother was the only other person I knew who ever made them (every Halloween, while most kids got Snickers and jelly beans from the neighbors, my mom made croquembouche, and that’s what she passed out to the small ghosts and princesses and aliens who knocked on her apartment door). As Dominick approached with the tray, my mom took one of the doughy balls very carefully with her left hand—her right hand and most of her right side were basically still useless at this point—and bit into it. I remember the look on her face as the taste resonated, and I watched her lick a dab of the custard that had settled on her upper lip. Our eyes met and, although she didn’t utter a word, I knew what she was saying to me: This is why I refused to die.

~ Peter Gethers, My Mother’s Kitchen: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and the Meaning of Life (Henry Holt and Co., April 4, 2017)