Assessment is a cornerstone of effective teaching and can create massive change in your school, providing vital information on student learning, guiding instructional decisions, and ensuring that educational goals are being met. However, traditional assessment methods, often focused on rote memorization and standardized testing, may not fully capture the depth and breadth of student understanding in today’s dynamic educational environment. To meet the demands of modern classrooms, teachers must embrace innovative assessment strategies that are flexible, inclusive, and aligned with 21st-century learning objectives.
This article explores the evolving landscape of assessment, differentiating between formative and summative assessments, and highlighting the role of professional development in mastering these techniques. It also offers practical tips for teachers looking to enhance their assessment practices, ensuring that evaluations are meaningful, equitable, and supportive of student growth.
The Changing Face of Classroom Assessment
In the traditional model of education, assessment was often a final step in the learning process—a summative event designed to measure what students had learned at the end of a unit or course. While summative assessments remain important, there is a growing recognition that they represent just one piece of the puzzle. Modern education increasingly emphasizes the importance of formative assessments, which are ongoing processes that inform instruction and support student learning as it happens.
1. Formative vs. Summative Assessments: Understanding the Difference
Formative Assessments: These are informal, often ungraded assessments that take place during the learning process. The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning and provide feedback that can be used to improve both teaching and learning. Examples include quizzes, class discussions, peer reviews, and observation. Formative assessments are integral to a responsive teaching approach, allowing educators to adjust their instruction based on real-time insights into student understanding.
Summative Assessments: These are formal, graded evaluations that occur at the end of a learning period, such as a unit, semester, or course. Summative assessments aim to evaluate what students have learned and to what extent they have achieved the learning objectives. Examples include final exams, standardized tests, and major projects. While summative assessments are crucial for measuring outcomes, they often don’t provide the immediate feedback needed to guide instruction during the learning process.
Innovative Assessment Methods for the Modern Classroom
As education evolves, so too must our approaches to assessment. Here are some innovative strategies that teachers can incorporate into their classrooms to better assess student learning in a holistic and meaningful way:
1. Portfolio Assessments:
Portfolios are collections of student work that demonstrate progress, achievement, and growth over time. Unlike traditional tests, portfolios allow students to showcase a range of skills, including creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They also provide a more comprehensive view of student learning by including various forms of work, such as written assignments, projects, and reflections. Portfolios can be particularly effective in subjects like art, writing, and project-based learning.
2. Performance-Based Assessments:
These assessments require students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world or simulated scenarios. For example, instead of taking a written test on a scientific concept, students might conduct an experiment, present their findings, or create a model. Performance-based assessments are valuable because they assess not just what students know, but how they can use that knowledge in practical, often collaborative, contexts.
3. Peer and Self-Assessments:
Incorporating peer and self-assessment encourages students to take ownership of their learning. Peer assessment allows students to review each other’s work, providing constructive feedback and learning from their peers. Self-assessment helps students reflect on their own progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Both methods foster a deeper understanding of learning objectives and promote metacognition, which is critical for lifelong learning.
4. Digital and Adaptive Assessments:
Technology offers new avenues for assessment that can be both engaging and personalized. Digital assessments, such as online quizzes and interactive simulations, can provide immediate feedback and adapt to the individual needs of students. Adaptive assessments adjust the difficulty of questions based on student responses, ensuring that each student is challenged at the appropriate level. These tools can be especially useful in differentiated instruction, allowing teachers to cater to a diverse range of learning needs.
5. Project-Based Assessments:
Project-based learning (PBL) integrates assessment into the learning process by requiring students to complete complex, multi-step projects that demonstrate their understanding and application of key concepts. PBL assessments often culminate in presentations, reports, or physical products that are evaluated based on a rubric. This method encourages deep learning, collaboration, and critical thinking, making it a powerful alternative to traditional exams.
Aligning Assessments with Learning Objectives
To be effective, assessments must be aligned with the specific learning objectives of the course or unit. This alignment ensures that assessments are measuring what they are intended to measure and that the results accurately reflect student understanding.
1. Define Clear Learning Objectives:
Before designing assessments, teachers must first establish clear, measurable learning objectives. These objectives should outline what students are expected to know, understand, and be able to do by the end of the learning period. Objectives should be specific, achievable, and aligned with broader curriculum standards.
2. Use a Variety of Assessment Methods:
Different types of assessments provide different insights into student learning. By using a variety of methods—such as quizzes, projects, essays, and presentations—teachers can capture a more complete picture of student achievement. This approach also allows students to demonstrate their learning in multiple ways, catering to diverse learning styles and strengths.
3. Develop Rubrics and Criteria:
Rubrics provide a clear framework for evaluating student work, outlining specific criteria and performance levels. Well-designed rubrics help ensure consistency and fairness in grading, while also providing students with a clear understanding of what is expected. Rubrics can be used for both formative and summative assessments, offering a structured way to provide feedback and guide student improvement.
4. Continuously Review and Adjust:
Assessment strategies should be regularly reviewed and adjusted based on their effectiveness in measuring student learning. Teachers should reflect on assessment outcomes, seek feedback from students, and make changes as needed to better align assessments with learning objectives. This iterative process helps ensure that assessments remain relevant and meaningful over time.
The Role of Professional Development in Mastering Assessment Techniques
To stay at the forefront of effective assessment practices, teachers must engage in ongoing professional development. This continuous learning helps educators refine their skills, stay updated on the latest research, and implement innovative strategies in their classrooms.
1. Attend Assessment Workshops:
Workshops focused on assessment techniques provide hands-on learning experiences, allowing teachers to explore new methods and tools in a collaborative setting. These workshops often cover a range of topics, from designing formative assessments to using technology in assessments. Attending these sessions can provide practical insights and inspire new approaches to assessment.
2. Enroll in Online Courses:
Online courses offer flexibility and depth, allowing teachers to dive into specific aspects of assessment at their own pace. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and FutureLearn offer courses on educational assessment, formative assessment techniques, and data-driven decision-making. These courses often include case studies, interactive activities, and opportunities for reflection, making them a valuable resource for teachers looking to enhance their assessment skills.
3. Join Professional Learning Communities (PLCs):
Professional Learning Communities are networks of educators who come together to share ideas, strategies, and resources. Joining a PLC focused on assessment can provide ongoing support and collaboration, helping teachers stay informed about best practices and emerging trends. PLCs can be found within schools, districts, or online communities.
4. Read Educational Assessment Literature:
There is a wealth of literature available on the topic of educational assessment. Books such as “Classroom Assessment & Grading That Work” by Robert J. Marzano and “The Formative Assessment Action Plan” by Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher offer valuable insights into effective assessment strategies. Regularly reading up on the latest research and theories can deepen teachers’ understanding and inspire new approaches in their classrooms.
5. Participate in Reflective Practice:
Reflective practice is a key component of professional growth. Teachers should regularly reflect on their assessment practices, considering what works well and where there is room for improvement. This reflection can be enhanced by peer observations, student feedback, and self-assessment, creating a continuous cycle of learning and improvement.
Conclusion: Elevating Assessment in the Modern Classroom
Effective assessment is not a one-size-fits-all process—it requires careful planning, alignment with learning objectives, and a willingness to embrace new methods and tools. By incorporating innovative assessment strategies, aligning assessments with clear objectives, and engaging in ongoing professional development, teachers can create a more responsive and equitable learning environment.
For modern educators, mastering the art of assessment is an ongoing journey. With the right tools, strategies, and mindset, teachers can transform assessment from a mere evaluation tool into a powerful driver of student growth and success. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, so too must our approaches to assessment—ensuring that every student’s learning journey is recognized, supported, and celebrated.
Women have been trained to be pleasers. Asking for help has not been hardwired into our DNA. It takes a lot for most of us to ask for help. In I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking) we follow Danny over the course of one very long day. She is desperately trying to earn the last $200 she needs to secure a new apartment for her and her daughter Wes. It is not going well. As she pounds the pavement to get them out of this tragic position, the reality of her situation slowly takes hold. I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking) boasts a genuine screenplay about grief and struggle. Kelley Kali‘s performance, direction, and writing are feminist-driven and incredibly honest. From comical to heartfelt, it was refreshing to hear the juxtaposition in dialogue. There are scenes where Kali allows herself the express exasperation. Others in which she pleads for leniency. Each encounter is equally important. This character is a fully fleshed-out woman with flaws and determination. 
This film is definitely about trauma. That’s undeniable. Alexis is dealing with synaesthesia (the ability to see sound) and intermittent bouts of losing the hearing she has regained. Yes, it’s a lot. Her PTSD coping strategy goes off the rails faster than anticipated. The sound editing in this film is key to its success. Color is another factor that helps the audience immerse themselves into Alexis’ mindset. To auditorily and visually understand her euphoria is important here. This is the film’s most successful aspect. It is truly glorious. But something stalls the overall flow of the film. What I think is off is the order in which we see her unusual “Experiments” occur. The nonchalance is of it all needed to be explored more. I would have loved to see some scenes with a psychotherapist juxtaposed with the behavior. Is it fair to assess this film as one woman’s perfect form of torture porn? Maybe not. It’s certainly more complex. The beginning had so much potential but it really jumps the shark about 30 minutes in. Jasmin Savoy Brown as Alexis is as committed as they come, but I think the material fails her. Detective Fuentes’s dialogue is so over the top it reads farcical. There is a lot to work with but Sound of Violence ultimately becomes silly. Alexis’s journey begins as extreme commitment and mutates into complete disassociation.
Casting two of the biggest horror legends in Larry Fessenden and Barbara Crampton was pure genius. Fessenden gets his comeuppance as a misogynist minister and clueless husband when he stumbles upon the reason his wife is so different as of late. Witnessing him bungling around is extremely satisfying. His chemistry with Crampton is perfection. Barbara plays Anne; a woman who is not allowed to have a point of view, let alone shine. She is the dutiful wife who puts her dreams aside for stability. Her initial sadness is palpable. Once circumstances change, Crampton gets to play a new completely new role. She is fierce as hell. I loved every second of this character’s second chance at life. Her performance is borderline camp and I could not get enough of her. Crampton never seems to stop working. After this role, I can imagine she’ll be even more overwhelmed with offers.
Travis Stevens does an incredible job of highlighting the mundane and oftentimes loathsome trappings of marriage. The result of 30 years of oppression that Anne tolerates is infuriating but creates the perfect backdrop for her arc. This script is about the restructuring of power. Even the title is genius, subconsciously telling you that Anne isn’t in charge of her own identity. I laughed out loud and cheered audibly when Anne begins to stand up for herself. The pure, unadulterated sass is magic. After Girl On The Third Floor, I expected a lot from Stevens. Boy, does he deliver the goods. (Keep an eye out for CM Punk to make a quick appearance, btw.) Jakob’s Wife has kick-ass music from Tara Busch. Yvonne Reddy‘s costumes are carefully curated to reflect the vibrance of Anne’s newfound confidence. Based on Girl On The Third Floor, where bodily fluids were aplenty, I assumed the gore factor would be high. In fact, the amount of blood is glorious and over-the-top to the point of giggle fits. Stevens’ dialogue maintains its wit and unfiltered outbursts. Perhaps my favorite bit comes in the form of Crampton telling a little girl to, “Fuck Off.” But his would not be the only time I guffawed during Jakob’s Wife. A scene that has Anne rearranging her living room furniture is anything but ordinary. It’s revelatory. There’s a Death Becomes Her wackiness to it all. As one of the all-time great genre films, this is a huge compliment. Visually, the Master is clearly inspired by Salem’s Lot and the classic Nosferatu. This film is not just a vampire movie, it’s a complex look at relationships. It’s a feminist awakening. There is much to love about Jakob’s Wife. It’s one of the best films from this year’s SXSW virtual fest. It’s destined to be a massive hit, breaking the genre molds to make Crampton, Fessenden, and Travis Stevens household names.
Harry Shum Jr was one of the most underutilized actors on GLEE. With a true leading man role in Broadcast Signal Intrusion in the Midnighters section, he was up against genre fans’ huge expectations. I think he definitely delivered. He gave us brooding vulnerability and a badass attitude that played well against the jarring imagery of the tapes. They were truly skin crawling. The film’s score has a throwback feel. It’s pure noir thriller deliciousness. The cinematography is certainly noteworthy. There is no denying the inspiration from Brian De Palma‘s ‘Blow Out.’ Gentry’s finale leaves a lot of unanswered questions but Shum holds his own in an inspired by true events screenplay. I was fully invested as he went down the rabbit hole of mystery and obsession. Please cast him in more roles with the complexity of Broadcast Signal Intrusion. A few things that stuck out like a sore thumb; James’ newly acquired detective skills get him further than any FBI agent, and the mystery of his stalker breaks late then peters out to less of an impact. Aside from a few script tweaks, this is a solid entry from this year’s lineup and well worth being disturbed by.
This charming doc is the perfect family watch. More specifically, it is theatre nerd deliciousness. It’s Waiting For Guffman in real life. The rehearsals are almost painful to watch. I felt director Dave’s anxiety as his cast muddled through forgotten lines, missed cues, and disastrous blocking. You’re just rooting for it all to come together in the end. Each actor has a genuine love for the show. Most of them are completely clueless about dialogue delivery, making it a laugh riot for a hyped-up, tuned-in, sold-out audience. The amount of work these bus drivers and their family and friends put into this stage production of Alien is astounding. Every set piece, prop, and costume is made by hand with more love than a Broadway play. You will absolutely fall in love with them all. You’ll be cheering along with their live audience. Bravo to directors Lucy Harvey and Danielle Kummer for having the foresight to nurture this local charity production and turn cameras on them. Everyone involved in Alien On Stage deserves a standing ovation.
The visual progression of horrifying imagery is stunning. The sleep experiment costumes have a Tron meets Captain EO vibe and I really dig them. The script is solidly disturbing. In all honesty, I was locked in until the very final scene which for me stepped into “Huh?” territory. I’ve now watched this film twice. The second viewing was a lot more telling. I have new theories. That being said, the rest of the film is so powerful, Come True is completely worth your attention. Thoroughly engrossing original visuals and storytelling are ramped up by Electric Youth and Pilotpriest’s synth score. It manages to wrap itself around you and immerse you in fear. Each of these elements creates an experience making Come True its own entity. It may give you your own new set of nightmares.
Every year, students represent each country in an entrepreneurial pitch competition where 1st prize is $100,000. The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards is a life-changing opportunity. In Own The Room (filmed in 2019) New York by way of Venezuela, Nairobi, Nepal, Puerto Rico, and Greece, were represented by Daniela, Henry, Santosh, Alondra, and Jason. You will absolutely fall in love with all five of them. While these young entrepreneurs are unique in personality and ideas, their dedication is familiar and infectious. Sustainability, housing, well-being, accessibility, and communication are merely the broad categories for each of their pitches. With intimate sit-downs and real-time competition footage, this film immerses the viewer in this global, high-stakes competition.
An intriguing highlight of Own The Room is the fact that all five students have the love and encouragement of their parents. It was great to hear the families support each dream, instilling them with the confidence to succeed. Watching the preparation, their anxiety and excitement are visceral. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you wait for their pitches in Macau. First, they must get past the semifinal round. Contestants are split between seven rooms. The winner of each room makes it to the finals. You won’t believe the last-minute obstacles that Henry faces. It’s simply exhilarating. As a viewer, you’re proud of these young people. They give you hope that our future is bright. Own The Room is an inspiring documentary.
The film features members of CAMP SAY community. Juliana, now graduating from the program uses singing to boost her confidence. Malcolm’s stutter was triggered after witnessing a violent act. His passion is baseball. This is his first year at camp. Sarah and Emily are best friends at CAMP SAY. They explain how important it is to be able to connect with someone who can genuinely relate and to finally realize that they’re not alone. Travis is one of the counselors at camp. He also uses music to feel uninhibited by his stutter. Will features his college entrance essay. The gorgeous, astute, poetic writing in that essay undoubtedly wowed any essay reader. My Beautiful Stutter brings together footage from home, camp, and beyond to immerse you into a world where communication is a double-edged sword.
One of the greatest days at camp happens when an older camper is paired with a younger one and they answer questions like, “What’s your favorite subject in school?” or “Something I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had a chance to yet…” Watching these kids grow is profound. The amount of sadness they carry with them every single day will stay with you. As a former teacher and current parent of a child on the spectrum, it was disheartening to hear that these kids all recall their teachers not understanding how their stutter affects them emotionally. The stories of constantly being cut off by others must be ceaselessly frustrating. Frankly, they all feel exhausted.
How do I not know about The Matches? Their sound is right up my alley. The minute I heard their songs in the introduction, I was hooked. Shawn, Justin, Matt, and Jon have distinct personalities and styles, and together they are unbelievable. This is the most badass entrepreneurial band I’ve ever heard of. The things they did to become known were geniuses. This was pounding the pavement in its truest form. Members Justin and Shawn made all the band’s art. Their parents worked the door, security, snack bar while they slowly wracked up fans.
The 110% commitment to the absolute absurd is what makes Keep An Eye Out (Au Poste!) so phenomenal. It has an authentic Monty Python level of rapid-fire, totally ridiculous tone to the dialogue. You’re just smirking the entire time. Whatever these guys were selling I was buying. I gutturally laughed out through the entire 73-minute run. Also, can we please normalize these kinds of runtimes? Great, concise storytelling. I’m here for it.
Chief Inspector played by Benoît Poelvoorde is a real prick but in the best way possible. The perfect foil for Ludig. He isn’t really listening to anyone and meanders between genius and complete moron. His presence is commanding. Grégoire Ludig plays the completely unsuspecting Fugain. His character goes on the journey of a lifetime. Ludig is the “straight man” of the cast, which isn’t saying much. In an American version, he’d be played by Paul Rudd; genuine comic timing in an everyman sort of way. His charming panic becomes our panic. It’s a true testament not only to his talents but the magnificent script. The nonchalance of the entire thing will floor you. Enter Philippe, the underling assigned to watch Fugain when the Chief is called away. Actor Marc Fraize was honestly my favorite thing about the entire film. I wanted to put him in my pocket and take him with me. His loveable, quirky oaf delivery was something unto itself. He really completed the circle of greatness for me, personally.
The storytelling style is a mix of interrogation and creative recreations of Fugain’s official statement. All while attempting to hide another matter in plain sight. The cinematography is beautiful; something akin to a Wes Anderson film with its very distinct color palette. The visual gags are to die for. You will not know which end is up. It’s dizzying and meta, and once it takes off it doesn’t let up for a minute. It’s like watching a tennis match of wit and weirdness. I could not recommend KEEP AN EYE OUT more.
There’s an intense charm about Tom Holland. He commands the screen with his ability to both put you at ease and surprise you. You just believe him. If that’s not the very definition of great acting, I’m not sure what is. His narration controls the overall atmosphere of the film from the get-go. While Holland gets to explore the dark humor in it all, you’re constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop for Cherry. The military PTSD exacerbates his already existing sadness which inevitably leads to addiction… Which leads to a string of bank robberies.
Cherry is a self-destructive story of a young man with no sense of direction, controlled by impulse rather than logic. It could just as easily been an entire series. There’s a lot jammed into its two hour and twenty-minute run. If I’m being perfectly honest, it’s almost too much. With 30 minutes left, I had to pause and come back later. To clarify it was very engaged it was just a lot to ingest in one sitting. Had this played in theaters, I worry an audience wouldn’t be able to stick with the length. Outside of that one concern, Cherry is highly entertaining thanks to Holland’s full commitment to Jessica Goldberg, and Angela Russo-Otstot‘s phenomenal screenplay, and the stylistic choices of The Russo Brothers’ overall aesthetic choices.
The story revolves around the disappearance of an extraordinary woman named Amra. She was a pilot, a leader of the town’s Pentecostal church “Fire Bones”, and a local legend that everyone knew… or so they thought. We follow Greg and Bart’s search for answers as accusations fly and information slowly comes to light in this unusual town filled with eccentric residents. The commitment to this unique format by this cast is magic. It’s weird and wonderful and I guarantee you have never seen or heard anything like it. Each clue gets better and better. Two standouts from the first half of this journey are Chapter 4: Clue #13 – Trainbow – Poetric dialogue set against breathtaking swamp and train imagery. And Chapter 5, Clue #15 Sign of the Times – A hilarious song with a tongue-in-cheek take on church board messaging.
If the pandemic had never happened, this could have easily been one of the most popular in-person attractions in immersive theatre history. If you’ve ever experienced a show like Sleep No More, which is an intense, live walkthrough of Macbeth in which the scenes play out from room to room as the audience wears masks and is encouraged to interact with the cast, you’d understand what I mean. FIRE BONES could easily adopt this presentation. It could be a permanent exhibit at MoMA. In our current circumstances, it’s a fun thing to do with family members. Fare warning, if you are listening with younger ears, there is a bit of profanity from time to time. While it is ultimately 4 1/2 hrs of content, you easily breeze from one piece to the next. The audio style wavers between true crime and radio drama. The videos are stunning to look at. Sharply shot and puzzling in content, you cannot help but we swept up in the mystery. Because each chapter is short, you never have time to get distracted. And because the format changes, you’re constantly engaged. FIRE BONES has massive expansion potential, but in its current form is undeniably entertaining. In an unpredictable world, some predictable fun is welcome.
With a very similar tone as Relic, down to the infamous front door frame, The Vigil plays upon tradition, lore, and trauma. The trappings of religion are always complex. As a former Catholic, I can attest to the creepiness of essentially being told that it was a blessing to consume the metaphorical body parts of the son of God. I had to kneel at the feet of a crucified Jesus… at an altar. The more I say I say it out loud the weirder and more awful these rituals sound to my 40-year-old self. In The Vigil, Vakov is hired to sit with the body of a deceased member of the Jewish community he has just left. Already haunted by the death of someone close to him, he is consumed by hideous visions and physical manifestations of terror.
Mrs. Litvak, played by the late great Lynn Cohen, is a beautiful go-between for lore and reality. Never is the Alzheimer’s diagnosis exploited, just the mere mention is enough to ignite theories in the viewer’s mind. Cohen is simply a joy to watch. She strikes a phenomenal balance between darling and intense. Dave Davis as Yakov is outstanding. His grief anchors you in place. His vulnerability is absolutely key to this screenplay working as well as it does. His emotional transformation is astounding.
The look of the film is dark. The concept of juxtaposing old-world tradition against the modern is clever. The framing is smart. Wide panning angles force your eyes to scan the room constantly. The audio of The Vigil is a character into itself. Scraping, pounding, creaking are only the beginning of the trail of fear. 30 minutes in and the viewer is in full panic mode alongside Yakov. The idea that victims of deep trauma are the target of this entity is unbelievably cruel. The number of successful jump scares in The Vigil is unreal. Whether driven by guilt or an actual demon, this film will get under your skin. It’s a chilling experience. You’ll hopefully feel as free in the final moments as Yakov does. Writer/director Keith Thomas genuinely manages to provide equal parts fright and catharsis. It’s quite literally breathtaking.
There is a chilling feeling while watching this series. As a critic, I long fell into the same category as the journalists featured at the beginning of the episode. You grow up with the notion that Woodey Allen represented the quintessential essence of what New York City culture was. You’re enamored with it all. While inarguably furthering the early careers of actresses Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, and Mia Farrow (they made 12 films during their relationship), the pattern of behavior and theme of his obsession with young women run through his scripts. Woody Allen has somehow been allowed to continue to work mostly unscathed, even after the world knew about his relationship with Farrow’s adopted daughter Soon-Yi, even after the #MeToo movement continues to rain hell down on abusers. Allegations swirled about the sexual abuse of adopted daughter Dylan. This is the first time that Dylan gets to tell her story in earnest. This doc utilized Allen’s own words against him as excerpts of him narrating his 2020 memoir play in between intimate sitdown interviews with Mia, Dylan, Ronan, family, and friends of the once power couple. Mia took endless hours of home videos for years, adding to the amount of readily available footage from the media. Finally hearing all the details from the source is brutal. It’s a visceral watch. As a parent, it is next-level painful. Watching the cycle of emotional abuse Mia endured from one man to the next, all while unconditionally loving her children adds another complex layer to this situation. This series will undoubtedly be controversial. It will be interesting to see the apologists come out loud and proud. There’s an enormous amount of evidence to digest. You will be shocked, sickened, furious, heartbroken. All this just at the end of the first of four episodes. ALLEN v. FARROW has to potential to reopen old wounds for a lot of trauma survivors. It also has the potential to knock another man off the pedestal we’ve kept him on for far too long.
G. O. Parsons‘ screenplay is so batshit it works. A possessed weasel, a fairy, a turtle, an alligator, a chameleon, a gorilla, a knight, and an Ostrich provide us with hilarious and gruesome kills and calamity. The Janitor’s mission of cleaning this damn place will not be deterred. There will undoubtedly be comparisons to the Five Nights at Freddy’s games and The Banana Splits movie but who cares. WILLY’S WONDERLAND has execution that is out of this world. The creature, set, and prop builds are wild. Attention to detail is award-worthy. My mother used to work at a Chuck E. Cheese. The atmosphere built for Cage and company to exist in is spot on. The handheld camerawork is dizzying and fantastic. The lighting is often enhanced with a black light hue that is simply delicious. It’s a funhouse of horrors. This is a genre fan’s dream watch. The practical FX are bloodsoaked and brutal. The soundtrack is epic. You will be singing Willy’s theme over and over because it balances on the edge of maniacal, weird, and wonderful. Where can I buy that and an official Willy’s Wonderland t-shirt? I’m as deadly serious as The Janitor.
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