Fraternity Vacation

1985 "Astronomy major Wendell Tvedt has studied galaxies, charted planets and pondered the universe. But in Palm Springs, he'll encounter his first full moon."
5.3| 1h34m| R| en
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A nerd gains the friendship of two of his frat brothers when his dad offers them his condo for the week in Palm Springs, and also offers the fraternity a hot tub and jacuzzi if they can help his son find a girl. They meet two guys from a rival fraternity, and make a bet on who can nail the Designated Babe first.

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Reviews

PodBill Just what I expected
XoWizIama Excellent adaptation.
FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
Kaelan Mccaffrey Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
videorama-759-859391 I wonder looking back, what Tim Robbins, open hearted-ly felt about this straight to video T and A pic. Would he cringe, feel embarrassed, hide himself in a corner. Honestly watching him in this, gives you cause to wonder why the other actors/mains didn't end up with the same success. I'm talking as in Dye, MCcloskey, and Mccoy, the latter who did have a bit of success, few and far between. They are all good actors (not really here though) in what it essentially a bad movie, but a better one than you think, when judging the preview. There were a lot worse out there, around this time, believe me. It actually has a story, but it's not based around our nerd character, Wendall Tvett, (a great Stephen Geoffreys) the real actor, who's career downfall is one of the worst of seen, which judged against talent. He's so natural and believable. He's taken under the wing of two college dudes, (Robbins and Dye) where they head to Palm Springs and clash with rival studs (McCloskey and McCoy) who are from another fraternity, of higher status. The warring duo make a wager with their nemisis's that they can score with this classy hottie (Sherie L Wilson), before they do, and with this of course comes proof, via Telescope and tape, which does make for exciting and comedic viewing. Even though it's bad, FV is just too much fun, more fun than laughable, I warn you, one raunchy hot scene, early in the piece involving a sex prank, and four great jugs, ala: scream queen, Crampton, and Kinmont with bigger stupendous goodies. But too, there's a valuable message, in the end, as to why Geoffreys ends up the classy hottie, among others messages, earlier. This was the one surprising quality about the film, which I guess ultimately failed, because it's derailment of story, but yet again, many lessons was learn't from that plot. But on the surface, FV, is just another bad T.A. pic, just of a bit higher stature to many others, which for a known star, his first pic, again, is something he'll wanna forget, but you won't forget Wendall. But it is addictively entertaining. I'll give you that. Choice of B and W opening airport scene, I liked too, in contrast to the following wide shot of the tree lined road, in to P.S. Liked the music too.
callanvass A nerd (Stephen Geoffrey's) befriends his two frat brothers when his father offers them his condo for a week in beautiful Palm Springs. He also offers other benefits if they can manage to help his son score a girl. There is only one problem. They run into two guys from a rival fraternity and make bets they ultimately wind up regretting. What's with the deceivingly low rating? It's not a great film or anything, but for a time period where sex comedies were coming out left and right, I felt this was actually a fairly amusing film. It has everything I adored about the 80's; sex, boobs, great looking woman, goofy gags, and hilarious characters that want nothing but sex. Nothing took itself all that seriously for the most part and why should it? It knows what it is, and it knows it's target audience. Lighten up guys. I got quite a few laughs from the utterly likable Stephen Geoffreys. He made the perfect underdog in this film as the lovable geek. Many people may know him as Evil Ed from Fright Night, but this performance was a lot of fun as well. I'm not saying it belongs there, just that it was fun. Every sex comedy needs a hero we can empathize with while we embark on a journey with him. Stephen Geoffrey's was the perfect hero. Tim Robbins (Yes. THE Tim Robbins) seemed to be having a blast, and I had fun watching him. I don't think he looks back at this movie fondly, though. Sheree J. Wilson plays the role of the object of every man's desire adequately. Amanda Bearse is fun as the lying, scheming love interest of Geoffrey's, whilst John Vernon is a hoot as the overly protective dad. Final Thoughts: 4.2… Really? It deserves to be at least in the mid 5's guys. I really don't know what people expect when it comes to movies sometimes. What did they honestly think they were gonna see when they pulled the trigger on watching this? It's a fun movie with some goofy laughs, and sometimes that's just what I need.6/10
DorkusMaximus77 I wouldn't say this was the best movie ever made, but it is highly watchable. Basic plot: Tim Robbins ("Shawshank Redemption") and Cameron Dye (...don't really know) go on a free-ride vacation to Palm Springs with nerdy frat pledge Stephen Geoffreys ("Evil Ed from "Fright Night") in the hopes of partying and getting laid. Meet Hot Chick, check. Meet rival frat boys, check. The 'bet' about who gets to nail Hot Chick first, check. Boobs and beer, check. Feel-good ending where everyone becomes friends, check. Typical 80's Sex Comedy Formula.Good points: Seeing Tim Robbins before he made it big was interesting. The Hot Chick wasn't the stereotypical dumb bimbo, also refreshing. Lastly, Stephen Geoffreys was adorable as the good-hearted nerd Wendell. Always had a soft spot for that actor; he plays downtrodden nerds/geeks/dorks with such verve. All the more surreal when you think about his future career in, erm, adult cinema...not that there's anything wrong with it! (couldn't help the "Seinfeld" reference there!)Bad points: the MUSIC! I know 80's cheese is 80's cheese, but this was particularly bad. Shocking that it was Brad Fiedel that did the music for this movie, when you compare to his later work in "Fright Night" and the first 2(or 3?) "Terminator" movies. Truly iconic scores in those flicks...
Pepper Anne I remember Fraternity Vacation being a pleasant comedy. Two college frat boys (Tim Robbins as Larry, and Cameron Dye as Joe) take advantage of their friend, nerdy Wendell's (Stephen Geoffreys) generous hospitality when he invites them to share his father's beachside condo for Spring Break. Larry and Joe see it as the perfect opportunity for one thing: picking up girls. And, on the side, to Wendell find a women, too. It is the typical 80s virgin theme and the attempts by horny young men to help themselves (or in this case, their friends) lose his virginity to (hopefully) some beautiful beach bimbo. Only, Larry and Joe are not at all subtle about what they want and Wendell, who is more of a careful romantic, actually has more success.It is a beach romp with something of a heart of gold finale for our kind main character, Wendell. So, aside from the typical boobs, beers, and parties prevalent in these types of 80s comedies, there is also something for female viewers to appreciate, at least through some of Larry and Joe's dimwitted hijinks or Wendell's sincerity and (eventually) happy ending. It is sort of a male version of 'Shag.' Give it a try if you can find it.