In Praise of Todd McCarthy

No disrespect to Anthony Lane, but Variety's Todd McCarthy is the best movie critic in America. Here's an example of why, from his review of Elizabeth: The Golden Age:

Tales underbrush is littered by annoyingly anonymous Catholic traitors, backed by Mary and Philip, plotting to murder Elizabeth, who is increasingly taken with [Walter] Raleigh. The two ride together in the country and achieve what, for the queen, must sadly pass as intimacy, a state more completely achieved between Raliegh and Elizabeth's favorite young companion . . .