Jeffrey M. Anderson

San Francisco

Film Critic at Freelance

Film Critic at The San Francisco Examiner

Film critic for the San Francisco Examiner, Common Sense Media, and others. Former blade runner. Former saucier.

Articles

SF Film Festival 2025 lineup: New movies, classics screening

4 weeks ago | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

The San Francisco International Film Festival is back in full force for its 68th edition, screening more than 150 films from over 50 countries over 11 days next month. Billed as the longest-running film festival in the Americas, the event opens with Marina Theatrefter wildfires destroy his ranch.
Separated an unsparing look at US family-separation policy

Dec 6, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris' works have tackled some incendiary subjects before, but none have been as urgent as “Separated,” which airs Saturday at 6 p.m. PT on MSNBC. Undeniably one of the masters of documentary, easily ranked at the top of the heap alongside Frederick Wiseman and Werner Herzog, Morris not only understands how to make his films cinematic, but he’s also a crack interviewer.
Transformers One brings director Josh Cooley full circle

Sep 20, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

Josh Cooley has left behind one set of toys for another, from Woody and Buzz Lightyear to Optimus Prime and Megatron. “I think the reason I got into animation in the first place was every Saturday morning, watching ‘Transformers,’ ‘G.I. Joe,’ ‘He-Man,’ ‘Looney Tunes,’ all that,” said Cooley, who recently visited San Francisco to discuss the film.
Sugarcane tells devastating story of covered-up atrocity

Aug 16, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

“Sugarcane,” co-directed by Emily Kassie and Oakland-raised Julian Brave NoiseCat, is a devastating documentary, containing images and words sure to sear the souls of anyone who comes into contact with it. But this is not to say that it’s unwatchable. Kassie and NoiseCat have gifted us a film that finds compassion and tenderness arising from the atrocities, like flowers sprouting from cracks in the concrete.
Planetwalker John Francis recounts his two remarkable vows

Aug 9, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

Anyone looking for a tonic to the spiritual fatigue of everyday events is encouraged to see husband and wife team Dominic and Nadia Gill’s wonderful short documentary “Planetwalker,” which tells the remarkable story of John Francis. It screens Aug. 9-15 at the Smith Rafael Film Center. He volunteered to help rescue oil-smeared animals, but wanted to do more. So he vowed to stop using oil-based vehicles. And that led to walking. Over the course of 22 years, he walked all over America.
Sing Sing cast owes easy chemistry to San Francisco ties

Aug 2, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

In Sing Sing Correctional Facility on the bank of New York’s Hudson River, a program called Rehabilitation Through the Arts has become the source of many stories. It took two extraordinary performers — a former San Francisco resident and a current one — to help tell one extraordinary story in the new film “Sing Sing,” which opened Friday in theaters across the country.
DiDi touts Bay Area influence on screen, behind the scenes

Jul 31, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

‘Dìdi” feels like a coming-of-age film, along the lines of “Eighth Grade” or “Mid90s.”But director and writer Sean Wang, a Fremont native, said he believes that‘s not quite the case, since the movie’s 13-year-old hero doesn’t really come of age. “I think it’s a loose term,” said Wang, who sat down with The Examiner to discuss the film. “Almost every movie is a coming-of-age movie,” he added.
SF DocFest returns showcasing Bay Area talent and stories

May 30, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

Fictional movies are often referred to as an escape, but one can’t escape forever. When it’s time to come back to reality, there’s nothing like a good documentary to give us some perspective and remind us of our place in the world. Unsurprisingly, given our artistic history, a number of them have something to do with the arts.
Summer 2024 movie guide: Blockbusters, festivals come to SF

May 29, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

Whether the sun comes out or you’re stuck in The City’s fog this summer, there’s no reason not to get out and see some adventures on the big screen. From blockbusters to indie darlings, here are The Examiner’s picks of the most promising offerings of the season. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (May 24)Summer just isn’t summer without some kind of outdoor adventure featuring a running, jumping, driving, swinging, fighting hero, whether it be Indiana Jones, Tarzan, James Bond, or what have you.
San Francisco CAAMFest spotlights AAPI filmmakers, movies

May 9, 2024 | sfexaminer.com | Jeffrey M. Anderson

Timed to coincide with AAPI Heritage Month, the 2024 edition of CAAMFest returns to showcase the best of Asian and Asian American film, as well as food, music and culture. It’s a celebration but also a declaration of AAPI power, an acknowledgment that injustices will not be allowed to stand.