At first glance, big names like 50 Cent, Harry Potter and The Matrix’s Neo seem to have nothing in common.

But this time of year, they all can expect to have their likenesses replicated for one major event: Halloween.

Each year, cultural influences, such as current blockbuster hits, pop singers and music videos come together to produce a unique cluster of Halloween costumes worn by students.

Of course, classic favorites can be expected to reappear this year as well, from the much-overdone “Scream” mask to the typical transvestite get-up. However, students have been coming up with creative costume ideas of their own.

“My boyfriend Brian Wilson went as the Wilson ball from ‘Cast Away’ last year,” said junior business marketing major Cat Fugiel. “He put a white bean bag on his body and drew the little face on it. It was so funny.”

Costumes can be grouped into five major categories: sexy, funny, current events, characters and classic/ scary.

SEXY

Sexy costumes are the result of any simple character donned in the most provocative manner possible.

Popular costumes include the nurse, the hooker, Little Red Riding “Ho,” the sexy angel/ devil duo, the fairy, the bunny, the Playboy bunny, the kitty, the cheerleader, the go-go girl and the naughty cop

FUNNY

Funny costumes can be the result of a last-minute invention or an elaborately thought-out venture. Both men and women can wear costumes with a comical twist, but men usually take the cake at making this a true hit.

These costumes include the man dressed as a woman, the walking penis, the pregnant nun, the tourist, the fat suit, the hula-man and the “I’m-not- wearing-a-costume” shirt.

CURRENT EVENTS

These costumes include anything or anyone controversial in the past year.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Jackson dangling a baby, Cubs fan Steve Bartman, John Ritter, any rap or pop stars, President Bush, former President Clinton, J-Lo and Ben and Jennifer and Brad all are examples.

CHARACTERS

These costumes include fictional characters from movies or TV series popular enough that they become widely replicated, such as “Lord of the Rings” characters, Harry Potter, “Top Gun” characters, SpongeBob Squarepants, Neo from “The Matrix,” Charlie’s Angels and even Bernie Mac.

CLASSIC/ SCARY

Typical Halloween costumes that surface year after year are considered classics, and include the witch, the pumpkin, the scarecrow, the Grim Reaper, the “Scream” mask, Dracula, the pirate, the ghost, the black cat and the monster/ bogeyman.

One way to pull together a choice costume is to create an ensemble from household items and old clothes. This works for many of the above; however, it can be tedious and end up not looking like the intended character. Fortunately, DeKalb has options for those in need of purchasing various Halloween costumes and accessories.

Halloween, a costume and accessories store located in the old JC Penneys lot at Northland Plaza, features an assorted variety of items.

They sell costumes ranging from gangsta to flapper, as well as wigs, masks, face paint and accessories.

Part-owner Daryl Ethridge said a good mixture of students, parents and children have visited the store.

“The beer-garden girl is a popular costume for girls,” Ethridge said. “For men, the Michael Myers mask is a best-seller.”

Ethridge also said the store is selling its “Saturday Night Live” characters very well.

“The Spartan cheerleaders are really popular,” Ethridge said.

Halloween will extend its hours starting Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until October 31.

Another store where students can pick up virtually anything costume-related is Crackerjax, 118 N. Third St.

Crackerjax provides an eclectic, vintage style collection of costumes, wigs, jewelry, candles and other furnishings and accessories. The store is open year-round, but gets much of its business this time of year.

Owner Lauren Woods feels the rush is yet to come.

“We’re expecting a lot of the students to start coming in next week,” Woods said.

Woods said the costumes they provide vary according to what’s out in the movies and what’s on TV.

“The flapper outfits and afros are good sellers,” Woods said.

The store will be open for extended hours next week, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.