“Side Effects May Vary” Concludes Epic 35-City
Theatrical Roadshow with Kickstarter Blu-ray Preorder
Sci-fi/horror-comedy first from “The Dead Next Door” director in over 23 years
- Only 1,000 replicated Blu-rays will be manufactured!
- Discs are REGION-FREE!
- Only way to own current uncut 84-minute version shown during theatrical roadshow!
- Kickstarter-exclusive Blu-ray slipcover autographed by director J.R. Bookwalter, limited to 300 units!
- Streaming release will be CENSORED!
Tempe Digital announces the launch of a Kickstarter preorder campaign for its latest feature, a sci-fi/horror-comedy entitled “Side Effects May Vary.” Directed by indie cult icon J.R. Bookwalter (“The Dead Next Door,” “Ozone”) from a screenplay by star James L. Edwards (“Her Name Was Christa”), the movie concludes an epic theatrical roadshow this summer after more than 35 big-screen dates across the US, including a pair of festival screenings in Canada and Germany.
The direct-to-consumer Kickstarter preorder marks the first time “Side Effects May Vary” will be available to own on disc with a limited pressing of 1,000 replicated Blu-rays, including 300 copies with an exclusive slipcover autographed by the director. A DVD MOD (Manufactured on Demand) version is also available, along with a VHS edition previously available only at roadshow events.
Collectors will also have a chance to expand their disc purchase with a variety of add-ons like a 27” x 40” theatrical one-sheet, T-shirt, syringe pen with three-inch color vinyl sticker, themed “Alpha-21” hot sauce, or a wearable replica of the yellow “Once I thought I was wrong but I was mistaken” trucker cap featured in the new movie as well as earlier Bookwalter titles “The Dead Next Door” (1990), “Robot Ninja” (1989), and “Ozone” (1994). A limited number of bundles that include everything for one low price are also available.
The Kickstarter campaign ends July 16, with discs shipping in October, 2024. An MOD-only retail and streaming release is expected by the end of this year, but will be three minutes shorter than the “uncut theatrical release version” sold exclusively on Kickstarter.
Theatrical roadshow audiences left glowing early reviews for “Side Effects May Vary” on Letterboxd, calling it “magnificent on every level” and “authentic regional horror movie magic… insane that Bookwalter directed, shot, and edited something this fun and perfectly executed after a 21-year hiatus.”
Moviegoers have three more chances to catch “Side Effects May Vary” on the big screen prior to the disc release:
- June 15: Gateway Film Center (Columbus, OH)
- June 28: Weekend of Fear (Erlangen, Germany)
- July 11: GE Theatre at Proctors (Schenectady, NY)
“Side Effects May Vary” tells the fictional story of a world gripped by a deadly pandemic, as science denier Glenn Rollins turns to an experimental vaccine as treatment for a lingering sickness. Much to the surprise of his doctor, wife, and friends, the remedy immediately fixes what ails him. But Glenn will soon discover the only thing more fatal than the virus… is the cure.
Bookwalter returns to the director’s chair after a 23-year absence from the indie scene to direct, shoot, and edit “Side Effects May Vary,” which stars writer James L. Edwards (“Bloodletting”), Tina Krause (“Witchouse 3: Demon Fire”), Floyd Ewing Jr. (“Skinned Alive”), Drew Fortier (“Her Name Was Christa”), Sasha Graham (“Addicted to Murder”), Tom Hoover (“Polymorph”), and a special appearance by legendary “scream queen” Brinke Stevens (“The Slumber Party Massacre”).
