This Week in Film rounds up noteworthy new releases in theatres, as well as key DVD / Blu-Ray releases, festivals, and other cinema-related events happening in Toronto.

IN THEATRES

Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster (TIFF Bell Lightbox)

Citizen Gangster is a surprisingly slick bank robber movie and an exciting little slice of Toronto history brought to the big screen. Scott Speedman plays the titular role, who is the notorious leader of a post-WWII local criminal gang. Boyd is portrayed with charm and a handsome swagger; first as a family man, then a bus driver, a veteran, and finally as a failed actor-turned-bank robber. At the heart of the story is Boyd's need to always impress those around him, mainly his wife and his disappointed father. Overall, the film is compelling and has an old-timey, wintry feel that's nice to look at, plus some standout performances, including Kevin Durand as Boyd's enabling partner.

Dark Shadows (Scotiabank, Beach, Humber, Rainbow Market Square)

A film critic named Carrie Rickey sums it up nicely in her post titled, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp: Fruitful Collaboration or Overripe Indulgence? Rickey has a point. Burton is sticking to formula here with Depp in the lead, Helena Bonham Carter, lovable eccentrics, and a period gothic story. But while I'd like to see Burton try something a little different, Dark Shadows — a comedic take on the 60's cult soap opera--is a film that had to be made, and had to be made a la classic Tim Burton. Dark Shadows is screening in IMAX.

ALSO IN THEATRES THIS WEEK

• Sound of My Voice (TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• China Heavyweight (Varsity)
• Big Boys Gone Bananas! (Bloor)
• The Dictator (opens May 16)

REP CINEMA

For recommendations on what to catch at Toronto's rep cinema's this week, check out This Week in Rep Cinema.

FILM FESTIVALS

Hot Docs may be over, but Toronto is still in its busiest film festival season. Catch the end of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival this weekend at the reno'd Bloor Cinema, through to March 13. Next Thursday, May 17th, Toronto's LGBT Film Festival Inside Out kicks off with a gala screening of My Brother the Devil at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

New on the scene, The Bootleg Film Festival runs from May 10 to 12 at Tranzac in the Annex. It's a touring festival of indie/underground films, launched in 2008 in Glasgow (with follow-up editions held in South Wales and London). We're the first North American stop for this pay-what-you can event, which include screenings, improv, karaoke, and networking opportunities throughout the weekend. Check out the schedule here.

Budding filmmakers from across the globe will have to impress Jesse Wente, Martha Burns, and Ron Mann, who are this year's judges at the Toronto Student Film Festival. The one-night screening and awards night has future Scorseses and Kubricks competing for prizes ranging from cash to film programs to scholarships. The TSFF takes place on May 12th at the Toronto Underground Cinema. Tickets are $10 and available online.

Also, check out our preview of the TIFF Next Wave Film festival.

DVD & BLU-RAY

• Albert Nobbs [BLU-RAY]
• Chronicle [BLU-RAY]
• The Devil Inside [BLU-RAY]
• Fear of Water [DVD]
• Hard Core Logo 2 [DVD]
• Miss Bala [BLU-RAY]
• One for the Money [BLU-RAY]
• Rampart [BLU-RAY]
• My Perestroika [DVD]
• Norwegian Wood [DVD]
• The Grey [BLU-RAY]
• No Room For Rockstars [DVD]
• 1900 (Three-Disc Collector's Edition) [BLU-RAY]
• Hell On Wheels - The Complete First Season [BLU-RAY]
• The Odessa File [BLU-RAY]
• Being John Malkovich (Criterion) [BLU-RAY]

Still from Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster courtesy of eOne Films.