Rex Reed , one of the most widely known, influential and biting film critics of the new wave ushered into prominence by Pauline Kael in the 1960s, died today, May 12, at his home in Manhattan following a short illness. He was 87. His death was confirmed by longtime friend William Kapfer, who noted that Reed died “surrounded by his closest loved ones.” Reed, whose stylishly written film reviews, celebrity profiles and interviews with Hollywood and Broadway stars were featured in such publications as The New York Times, GQ, Esquire, Vogue and, most recently, the New York Observer, was a ubiquitous presence on talk shows throughout the 1960s and ’70s, prized by hosts like Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett for his wit and candor. In a telling sample of his quotes collected for his obituary in The New York Times, Reed could be both worshipful and scathing.…