Oh, to be traipsing around a city, smoking arguably too much weed and getting into shenanigans with my squad. Broad City is hilarious. Despite having watched it a few times now, I still double over laughing at least once every episode. But it’s also thoughtful, discussing real-life struggles behind its veil of humor. Watching Abbi and Ilana navigate their friendship has reawakened me to the importance of platonic intimacy—especially right now, while all of my friends are out of reach.
Life can get messy, and life can get tough, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if the world is changing all around us. We still have each other. And someday (hopefully) soon, we’ll be able to hug, and get drinks, and do all of the things I miss the most. For now, though, I’ll be living vicariously through the screen.
—Louryn Strampe
Practical Magic
Nicole Kidman, Goran Višnjić, and Sandra Bullock in Practical Magic
Photograph: United Archives/AlamyA few holidays ago (when we could still be together), my parents’ kitchen was packed full of family when the broom propped in the corner suddenly fell over. My mom, two sisters, and I all stopped what we were doing and said, “company’s coming,” as if on cue. The line is from Practical Magic, a movie I’ve seen so many times that small pieces of regular life remind me of it—stirring a cup of tea, midnight margaritas, wrapping a cardigan around myself as the wind blows. I love it so much, I even have a tattoo inspired by it.
On the surface, the story is about witches, but it’s more than that (as most witch stories are). It’s about the bond of sisterhood and family, love, and women standing up for themselves and each other. Anytime I’m longing for my sisters, I curl up with a blanket, light some candles, and watch Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as the Owens sisters. I may or may not also pretend to cast spells.
—Medea Giordano
Stream it on: Amazon
About Time
Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson in About Time
Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Limited/Alamy