Many theaters have discounted nights or promotions these days, but the SouthSide Works Cinema will show eight movies this summer for free. As part of its Kids Summer Film Fest, the theater will screen these movies on Tuesdays at 11 a.m.:

June 16: "E.T."

June 23: "Kung Fu Panda."

June 30: "The Tale of Despereaux."

July 7: "Coraline."

July 14: "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa."

July 21: "Paul Blart: Mall Cop."

July 28: "Hotel for Dogs."

Aug. 4: "Monsters vs. Aliens."

Seating is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Go to http://www.southsideworks.com for details.

As an outraged reader recently discovered, AMC-Loews at the Waterfront has changed its pricing, bumping up the cost of weekend matinees from noon to 3:55 p.m. to $7.50.

On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (such as Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve), movies are $5 until noon, $7.50 from noon until 3:55 p.m., and $10 afterward. Tickets Monday through Thursday, however, are $5 any time of the day or night.

"Twice a year, in the fall and spring, we look at our pricing across the board and that's every theater, every market, every program, every type of pricing," AMC Entertainment spokesman Justin Scott said yesterday from Kansas City, Mo.

"Sometimes we make changes, sometimes we don't. Sometimes there's increases, sometimes there's decreases. It's all based on current economy-business trends, demand, markets, you name it."

The change was made in late May. The lesson here: If you want to save money, go Monday through Thursday, or Friday through Sunday before noon, when possible.

The Hulk, Eddie Munster and Lou Costello's daughter are scheduled to attend Monster Bash 2009 at the Days Inn Conference Center, Butler, June 26-28.

The expo and film festival will feature almost nonstop movies along with Hollywood guests and vendors selling toys, comics, original vintage movie posters and other collectibles.

Among the guests expected are: Lou Ferrigno, television's "Incredible Hulk" and recently on screen in "I Love You, Man"; Donnie Dunagan, a former Marine who spoke for young Bambi and appeared in "Son of Frankenstein" as a boy; Chris Costello, daughter of Lou Costello, who will narrate home movies of her dad and Bud Abbott; Gary Conway, known as Capt. Steve Burton from TV's "Land of the Giants"; Butch Patrick, Eddie Munster from "The Munsters"; and Ricou Browning from "Creature From the Black Lagoon."

It wouldn't be a monster bash without "Chiller Theater" host Bill Cardille and makeup/special-effects guru Tom Savini along with "Night of the Living Dead" actors Bill Hinzman and Kyra Schon.

Scary Monsters Magazine and Creepy Classics Video & DVD are presenting the event. Single-day admission at the door, $20; $45 for a three-day pass. Children under 12 admitted free when accompanied by adults.

Go to http://www.monsterbashnews.com/bash.html for a complete schedule. Or call 724-238-4317.

Overture Films is developing a modern-day adaptation of "Hamlet" with Emile Hirsch from "Into the Wild" starring and Catherine Hardwicke ("Twilight") directing.

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Ron Nyswaner, a Greene County native and 1978 University of Pittsburgh graduate, will adapt the Shakespearean work. Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen ("Milk") are on board as producers.

Hardwicke worked with Hirsch on "Lords of Dogtown," and he suggested the project. "In our version, we're working hard to make 'Hamlet' a thrilling cinematic experience -- the violent, intense and romantic scenes that happen 'off stage' in the play will be shown in vivid detail," Hardwicke said.

• "North by Northwest," considered the greatest of Alfred Hitchcock's chase films, with its signature scenes in a cornfield and at Mount Rushmore, will be shown at the Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Ave., next week. Pittsburgh Filmmakers will screen it Monday through Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and next Thursday at 5:30 and 8 p.m.

• Pittsburgh Film Workers Association is accepting DVD entries for a film festival devoted to independent production. They must be postmarked by June 30 and should be submitted in triplicate. Go to http://www.pghfwa.com for details.

• "Sita Sings the Blues," an animated modern-day interpretation of a classic Indian myth, won the RAGS Foundation's People's Choice Award at the recent Silk Screen film festival. You can download the movie for free, courtesy of filmmaker Nina Paley, at http://www.sitasingstheblues.com.

• In this week's movie podcast, Rated PG, I talk about "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" and "Imagine That." Last week, TV editor Rob Owen and I chatted about "The Hangover" and "My Life in Ruins." You can find both at post-gazette.com/podcast.