CityNews.ca's Suzanne Ellis and Brian McKechnie take a look at some of the films playing at TIFF09.

Deliver Us From Evil (Fri os fra det onde) *CityNews.ca Pick*

An extremely mean-spirited Swedish film that deals with racism, religion and what people will do to protect their family. Directed by Ole Bornedal (1997's Nightwatch) and starring Lene Nystrøm Rasted (singer from the band Aqua), Deliver Us From Evil is one of the best films I've seen at TIFF this year. Schedule at TIFF. BM

A Serious Man

The biggest stars involved with the Coen Brothers’ latest are, well, the Coen Brothers. The cast of relative unknowns is nevertheless perfect in this Fargo-esque tale about a man on the edge of personal and professional ruin. As far as dialogue goes the Coens are in top form, with Michael Stuhlbarg starring as unlikely hero Larry Gopnik. Fans of the Coens’ work shouldn’t be disappointed. Schedule at TIFF. SE

Defendor

Arthur Poppington, aka Defendor (Woody Harrelson), isn’t your typical superhero. Clad in black, the letter D duct-taped to his chest, Defendor roams the streets looking for his arch-nemesis, Captain Industry. But when he beats up a corrupt undercover cop (Elias Koteas) who’s getting rough with a young prostitute (Kat Dennings), the honourable crime fighter finds himself on the wrong side of the law. A surprisingly poignant and often funny film from writer-director Peter Stebbings. Schedule at TIFF. SE