Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for June 21, 2023

Safe to assume they weren’t watching Casablanca.

Couldn’t Calvin watch Superhero movies at least?

Just tune into any news program these days…

When I was in my tweens, I HATED wholesome old musical family films. I would groan whenever my mom played the Mary Poppins or Sound of Music soundtracks, and I refused to see The Princess and the Frog in theaters because I was fourteen at the time and still thought Disney Princesses were stupid and girly. (Anyone remember how heavily merchandised the Disney Princesses were in the 2000s?)

Now that I’m in my late twenties, I can safely say that I enjoy corny old musical family films MUCH more than I ever did as a child. I guess we don’t truly grow up until we embrace our childhood instead of trying to run from it.

Have you noticed that even some KID FLICKS now come with non-G rating? Makes no sense to me.

Withdrawal of manipulated emotions is a good escape.

so… this strip emphasized for me how Calvin is wearing stripes to emulate Hobbes and be more a part of their partnership! their secret club of two.

Oh my! The Count certainly hopes Calvin wasn’t manipulated into lighting up a Lucky.

If the movie doesn’t manipulate you, the adverts before, during and after certainly will.

Surprised Calvin was able to stay awake. How old was old? Since this is a 1993 script Calvin birthyear would have been 1987.

Wait till you get older, Calvin…

Bringing Up Baby?

That’s the trouble with todays society. If it’s not violent, expletive, or sexy, there’s no interest. Sad

I’m sure that adults passing by will wonder how such a little kid got so high in a tree.

The movies were more subtle then. The theater (and movies are theater) has always been about having our emotions manipulated.

I dunno. you can manipulate emotions w/o violence, explosive action or swearing.

I wonder what my life would be like if I didn’t grow up watching reruns of Abbot and Costello and the road shows with Crosby and Hope? Would I be the same me if I wasn’t exposed to Lewis and Martin or Sinatra?

He doesn’t describe a scene so, in that decade it could be any rerun from ‘Our Town’ to ‘Meet Me In St. Louis.’

I only seem to watch animated kids funny films now, the rest want to “teach” you something or are too violent to be war documentaries.

Calvin’s too young and the wrong sex to have his emotions manipulated by a chick flick.

The more thing change, the more they stay the same.

You don’t know what manipulated emotions means.

So not Doctor Who then…

I’m sure it moved some people, Calvin. It’s just that you need super stimulation to achieve that.

No sorrow even when the bad guy got lost in the forest? Tsk!

I like how Hobbes helps Calvin reach the first branch.

Love the way Hobbes has to help Calvin climb the tree. Story within the story. Good work, Bill!

Must not have been a show regarding the Climate Movement.

He means not having his emotions BLATANTLY manipulated.

Yet somehow, he DID NOT say it was boring.

This is what I dislikedabout modern movies. I don’t want my guts vibrated just because Dolby exists. I don’t need ear-piercing music to tell me things are supposed to be exciting. I don’t need CG to make a rocketship move, when a string and some cardboard works as well. (OK, maybe I do need that last one.)

Obviously not the news.

Oh, Calvin … they were manipulated, but in very subtle way, nothing overtly

Yep, movies where the women wear gloves indoors, and the men stay dressed up in suits and ties to eat dinner in their own dining rooms at home – count me out!!! Totally can’t relate!

Must NOT have been a Bette Davis movie…

Harvey with Jimmy Stewart.

hmm

I’m guessing it wasn’t a chick flick.

Any good movie manipulates your emotions. Just not necessarily in the direction of horror or bloodlust. Mind you, there are good movies that do that, too.

Rules out Chitty Chitty Bang Bang