Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

BugisStreetAnnie I saw this when it came out at a Beaumont, Texas drive-in. I have always been a huge fan of The Runaways, so I couldn't wait to see it. All I really remember back then - other than it being on a double-bill with the Blue Lagoon - is it rained half way through it so I had to keep putting on the windshield wipers, LOL.It was so worth it then luckily I was able to record it off of cable a few years later so I got to really see it without interruptions.My favorite scene is when they are cruising down Hollywood Blvd. looking for Annie and we get a glimpse of all the oddball characters: the Mary Weirdo, the dog smoking a pipe, etc.I only wish that I could now get this on DVD. Great, great film.

TOMASBBloodhound What is it about young people that makes every generation of them seem like they are out of control? Foxes is a poignant and depressing look at the lives of four teenage girls in Los Angeles circa 1979. The film would seem to point the finger at poor parenting as the cause of most of the turmoil these girls face. Indeed, the parents we are introduced to leave a lot to be desired. They are either overbearing, abusive, or uninvolved with their children. Is it any wonder the girls often sleep together in the same bed like a pack of foxes. The four main characters seem to be their own family unit. One that is more reliable and supportive than the families that have spawned them.Jodie Foster plays Jeanie who appears to be the main character. Her mother (Sally Kellerman) is a forty-ish college student who seems to shack up with lesser men. She is still obviously trying to live out a childhood that perhaps was taken from her by an early pregnancy. In one interesting scene, Jeanie's mother lashes out at her daughter in a fit of jealousy. It appears her daughter and her friends have better bodies now, and that must be hard for a sexually active single mom to take. At one point, Jeanie's mom moves out and Jeanie is left alone. Her father appears to be some sort of manager for a rock group who is always on the road. This is perhaps an element of the original script where the four young ladies were supposed to be a rock group. Jeanie's friends are also troubled in one way or another. We have a drug-addicted friend who is always on the run from her abusive cop-father. Another is virginal until she hooks up with an older man (Randy Quaid) and the two somehow fall in love. Another is a manipulative sexpot who likes to get boys fighting over her. All in all, these women are bound for trouble from the very beginning of the film. And trouble becomes tragedy by the time the credits roll.Foxes is not a bad film, but there are problems with it. The film is really minimalist in terms of story and characterization, but maybe that was what they were going for. The final draft looks like it had undergone quite a bit of re-writing. Technically, the film is too dark, and some of the post-dubbing is poorly synchronized with the characters lip movements. The "On the Radio" song from Donna Summer is played constantly. It seems out of place with some of the scenes that feature it. When it works best are times when it is stripped down to somber piano notes in the quieter scenes. Scott Baio's character seems tacked on and useless.If you were a teenager back then, I'm sure it will ring more true than if you're a casual viewer. It kind of reminds me of the Smashing Pumkins song about 1979 and all the kids with their nihilistic attitudes. Foxes is not inspiring. It should serve as a warning shot to parents about keeping better track of their kids. Teenagers these days are every bit as at risk. Maybe more! 6 of 10 stars.The Hound.

preppy-3 Story about four teenage girls growing up in California. Jeanie (Jodie Foster) is the most level-headed of the bunch--but wants to move out of her house where she lives with her divorced mother (Sally Kellerman). Annie (Cherie Currie) is addicted to drugs, alcohol and bad boys and is beaten up by her father. Madge (Marilyn Kagan) has overprotective parents. Deirde (Kandice Stroh) thinks she's more mature than the rest of them.This is nothing new from what we've seen plenty of times before--but this one has one big difference--it's accurate. I graduated from high school in 1980 (when I first saw the film) and I was surprised at how realistic it was. They got the dialogue, clothes and attitudes down completely right. Even the main song of the movie ("On the Radio" by Donna Summer) was a big hit before this came out. This film hit me harder than any other teen film of the time because I could understand and relate to the characters. I knew girls in high school who were just like this! The film is (of course) dated but it captures a time we will never see again.The acting is good on all counts with Foster giving the best performance. The relationship between her and Kellerman (who was excellent) was realistic and well-done. Even Scott Baio (who has a small role as a friend of the girls) more or less realistically played a teen boy.A very good movie--essential viewing if you came of age in 1980. The film has a deserved R rating (plenty of drug use and swearing) but should be seen by all teens. I give it a 8.

Judexdot1 I was just a bit young for this one, but I had to see it. There's some excellent music, which many folks have mentioned, but no one seems to notice a very rare appearance by "Angel", a now mostly ignored but once quite popular musical outfit. Wearing their trademark white outfits, they grind through "20th Century Foxes", and apparently all try to cram into the camera's field of vision. Keyboardist Gregg Giuffria remains the bands highlight, and has apparently never gotten much of a haircut, ever! Cherie Currie (ex-Runaways singer) begins a brief, but notable, acting career here, and is quite memorable alongside Jodie Foster, and the rest. (Her topless 3-D scenes in "Parasite", and her UFO sighting, in "Wavelength" kept us all watching her for a time). It's not a masterpiece, but it preserves a chunk of its period, for all to gaze upon, and wonder.