The Kptodama spiritual curse is a concept that originates from Japanese folklore and mythology. It is believed to be a powerful and dangerous curse that can bring misfortune and even death to its victims. The word "Kptodama" refers to the spiritual energy or life force that resides within all living beings. According to legend, the Kptodama curse can be placed on someone by a powerful and vengeful spirit or witch. The curse is said to attach itself to the victim's Kptodama, draining their life force and causing them to suffer physically, mentally, and emotionally. The effects of the curse can vary, but it is often described as a slow and agonizing deterioration of health and well-being.
The story jumps between these story- and timelines in a relatively sedate pace. It may at first catch you off guard and make you (like me) rewind the film just to see that you did not miss anything of import. However, it is not as convoluted as it sounds and once you get your head around the different timelines, the bigger picture starts to form. This is indeed what makes Haunted School an interesting watch. I am always a sucker for a good reality loop and this film has that in more way than one. Not only are these different people all stuck in their own loops, but there is also the added horror of our young friends not being able to escape the building. This keeps the story fresh and intriguing until the end, keeping you pondering just how all these stories will link up.
Along the way she reveals some home truths about those haunting the halls of this learning establishment and shines a light to the mystery behind it all. There is couple of horrendous examples of cheap, terrible CGI, that are sure to make you cringe in embarrassment, but luckily, they are offset by a few semi decent scare scenes that have a genuine creep factor.
The effects of the curse can vary, but it is often described as a slow and agonizing deterioration of health and well-being. It is believed that the Kptodama curse can be transmitted through various means, such as physical contact, objects, or even thoughts and intentions. Once a person is cursed, it is said to be extremely difficult to remove the curse without the help of a skilled spiritual practitioner or exorcist.
Film Review: Haunted School: The Curse of the Word Spirit (Gakkou no kaidan: Noroi no kotodama) (2014)
From the director Masayuki Ochiai (Infection; 2004, Shutter; 2008) comes a somewhat unbalanced but not entirely uninteresting supernatural romp, set in a haunted school building. Taking its cue from the famous Gakkou no Kaidan book series by Toru Tsunametsu, it does not offer much in the way of scares, but the mysterious plotline does keep you interested till the end.
The film starts by following a group of students telling scary stories about their place of education. One story claims that one the school’s mirrors has the ability to suck people in, other about a mysterious accident that happened to a previous class, in which the whole class full of students died. Both seem dubious at best, but perhaps there’s more truth to them than one might think? From there we suddenly jump to a group of friends breaking into the school to shoot a horror film. They are older than the students seen previous and the building is now completely abandoned. While messing about, trying to stage a ghostly encounter in the school bathroom, the fearful foursome ends up catching a real-life ghost on camera. And if that is not bad enough, they soon find out that the building (or its ghostly occupants) will not let them leave, making them wander its corridors in hopes of finding a way out. Little bit later, we are introduced to the final protagonist, a lone woman entering the abandoned building to honour the memory of her late mother’s school mates; the very same mates that died in the freak accident all those years ago. Along the way she reveals some home truths about those haunting the halls of this learning establishment and shines a light to the mystery behind it all.
The story jumps between these story- and timelines in a relatively sedate pace. It may at first catch you off guard and make you (like me) rewind the film just to see that you did not miss anything of import. However, it is not as convoluted as it sounds and once you get your head around the different timelines, the bigger picture starts to form. This is indeed what makes Haunted School an interesting watch. I am always a sucker for a good reality loop and this film has that in more way than one. Not only are these different people all stuck in their own loops, but there is also the added horror of our young friends not being able to escape the building. This keeps the story fresh and intriguing until the end, keeping you pondering just how all these stories will link up.
The special effects vary from poor to surprisingly creepy. There is couple of horrendous examples of cheap, terrible CGI, that are sure to make you cringe in embarrassment, but luckily, they are offset by a few semi decent scare scenes that have a genuine creep factor. They might not win any awards for originality, blatantly taking their inspiration from the likes of Ring, but I do have to mention the obvious influence of the Butoh dance movement. Butoh of course was the inspiration behind Sadako Yamamura’s iconic jerky movements, and it certainly seems that it has been utilised here as well. One of the characters, with his white kimono and long black wig, even resembles the founder of the movement, Tatsumi Hijikata, which cannot be just pure coincidence. It is enjoyable to watch and nice little add to what could otherwise be a very cliched parade of ghostly encounters.
The film does suffer from a somewhat messy ending. All the carefully laid puzzle pieced do not quite come together in a satisfying manner and as a result, the end resolve is slightly muddled. Not having read any of the Gakkou no Kaidan stories, I can’t comment whether this is a matter of literary material not quite translating to the cinematic language or whether Ochiai tried to fit too many stories in one film, making it impossible to resolve in a gratifying manner. Whatever the case, it is a relatively small gripe. Rest of the film is still surprisingly enjoyable watch, and while the end does let the rest of it down somewhat, it does by no means ruin it. All in all, Haunted School: The Curse of the Word Spirit is not bad attempt and definitely worth checking out for anyone interested in the Gakkou no Kaidan stories.
The film starts by following a group of students telling scary stories about their place of education. One story claims that one the school’s mirrors has the ability to suck people in, other about a mysterious accident that happened to a previous class, in which the whole class full of students died. Both seem dubious at best, but perhaps there’s more truth to them than one might think? From there we suddenly jump to a group of friends breaking into the school to shoot a horror film. They are older than the students seen previous and the building is now completely abandoned. While messing about, trying to stage a ghostly encounter in the school bathroom, the fearful foursome ends up catching a real-life ghost on camera. And if that is not bad enough, they soon find out that the building (or its ghostly occupants) will not let them leave, making them wander its corridors in hopes of finding a way out. Little bit later, we are introduced to the final protagonist, a lone woman entering the abandoned building to honour the memory of her late mother’s school mates; the very same mates that died in the freak accident all those years ago. Along the way she reveals some home truths about those haunting the halls of this learning establishment and shines a light to the mystery behind it all.
There are several methods that are believed to be effective in removing the Kptodama curse. One common practice is the use of rituals and ceremonies performed by priests or shamans. These rituals are often accompanied by prayers, chants, and the burning of sacred herbs or incense to cleanse the individual of the curse. Another method is the use of talismans or charms that are believed to have protective properties against curses. In some cases, it is believed that the curse can be lifted through acts of repentance or reconciliation. This may involve seeking forgiveness from the spirit or witch who placed the curse, or making amends for any wrongdoings that may have caused the curse to be placed. Overall, the Kptodama spiritual curse is a deeply rooted belief in Japanese folklore and mythology. While it may be dismissed as superstition by some, it continues to be taken seriously by many who believe in the power of curses and supernatural forces..
Reviews for "Unlocking Hidden Talents and Abilities through the Kptodama Curse"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - Kptodama spiritual curse was a huge disappointment for me. The storyline was confusing and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing was also a major issue, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and unresolved plot points. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious and frustrating read.
2. Michael - 1/5 - This book was an absolute waste of my time. The writing was amateurish and filled with grammatical errors. The plot was predictable and lacked any depth or complexity. The author attempted to create a spooky atmosphere, but it fell flat. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to become immersed in the story. I cannot recommend Kptodama spiritual curse to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging novel.
3. Amanda - 1/5 - Kptodama spiritual curse was a complete letdown. The characters were shallow and uninteresting, and their actions made little sense. The book promised to be a gripping supernatural thriller, but it failed to deliver any real suspense or scares. The story meandered aimlessly, and I was eager for it to be over. I felt no emotional connection to the events or the outcome. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone.
4. John - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Kptodama spiritual curse, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The plot had potential, but the execution was lackluster. The writing style was overly descriptive, often dragging on for pages without advancing the story. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The book also contained numerous editing errors that were distracting. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book for anyone seeking an engaging and well-crafted story.