On Demand picks

September 13, 2011

DESPICABLE ME *** (HBO on Comcast) An oddity in the 3-D family-animation sweepstakes, but an entertaining one. Steve Carell uses a thick accent that’s roughly triangulated by Russia, Germany, and the borscht belt for his vocal role of Gru, a likably misguided supervillain (think Boris Badenov meets Dr. Evil) who wants to steal the moon. The film has enough novelty to keep kiddies diverted and just enough wit to placate the parents. (PG; runs through Sept. 30) TY BURR

FATHER OF THE BRIDE **½ (Encore on Comcast) This good-natured remake of Vincente Minnelli’s 1950 wedding comedy gives Steve Martin a good chance to show his gifts for physical comedy, and Kimberly Williams is appealingly smart and vulnerable. (PG; runs through Nov. 3) MATTHEW GILBERT

SLAP SHOT *** (Comcast Movies: Free Movies) George Roy Hill, the director, is too keen on the games boys play to be the author of a movie criticizing the violence in professional ice hockey. Still, the film has things going for it, including Paul Newman as an aging player-coach and the smell and feel of hockey’s bush leagues. The script is by Nancy Dowd, whose brother was a hockey player. (R; runs through Nov. 3)