I was spawned and raised in the dark heart of Mississauga, a sorrowful suburb to the west of Toronto, and I see no need to go back. But Toronto film fiends may want to wend their way west this Saturday to check out the Mississauga Independent Film Festival’s evening screenings. Saturday night’s screenings take place at the CineStarz theatre (377 Burnhamthorpe Road East).

THE BEAST OF BOTTOMLESS LAKE (7 pm)

Plot: Cryptozoologist Paul Moran (David Nykl: “Stargate: Atlantis”) and his crew head out to Lake Okanagan in search of the legendary monster Ogopogo, while a documentary film crew records his every awkward move.

Thoughts: Director Craig March should work in TV. The Beast of Bottomless Lake looks like bad movie of the week, and it’s humour is dreadfully bland. Fright film fans should know this is a comedy, but even monster lovers will be disappointed by its lack of beastie badness. Scenes play out interminably, seemingly to pad the running time. Too bad you don’t have a fast forward button.

Rating: 2/5

NARA (9 pm)

Plot: After he breaks up an imminent date rape, Blane (Dylan MacDonald) finds his life of blissful near homelessness intruded upon by the would-be victim Krista (Nicole Maroon). The relationship between Blane and Krista grows, to be the point where he makes Nara jealous… Nara being the decapitated head Blane keeps on his table.

Thoughts: Writer-director Navin Ramaswaran’s dialogue is a bit obvious, and Krista’s fascination with Blane is a stretch, but Nara is a mostly successful horror show which displays a palpable dread as we sense that Krista’s meddling will not end well. The influence of Maniac and May is apparent.

Rating: 3.5/5