Why I Adore Anthony Lane

Anthony Lane is the film critic people love to hate. I'm not sure why; whether it's the fey, Wildean pretentions coming from a straight man; or the fact this his filmic references come more from pop culture than from Film Comment, making him more akin to the snarkier onliners than the spawn of Pauline Kael that I suppose he's meant to be.

But when Lane is on, he gives the OTHER funniest print reviewer, Paul Rudnick's alter-ego, "Libby Gelman-Waxner" in the pages of Premiere, a run for hir (sic) money.

This week, he reviews the new Star Wars film. Just go read it. But make sure you're not drinking anything, and don't eat a big meal before reading.