pauline kael, r.i.p.: i never had the privilege to open up a newspaper or magazine and find a review by the late, great pauline kael. which isn't to say that i've never read her work, far from it actually. ms. kael had very strong opinions and whether or not you agreed with her, like all great critics, she made you think twice about your own position. rare is the critic who can take the beauty that this life presents us with and create beauty in turn; even rarer is a critic like pauline kael and the arts, the world, were a better place for having her. respect is due from all who've ever taken up the pen to exalt and insult.