Cottontail review – beautifully understated Japanese-English bereavement road trip drama
In this case, the cantankerous, recklessly independent widower is Kenzaburo, played by the remarkable Japanese actor Lily Franky (Shoplifters) in a performance that's a masterclass in understated anguish. Kenzaburo lost his wife to dementia before she lost her life, but, a lifelong fan of Beatrix Potter, she made him promise to take her ashes from Tokyo to the shores of Windermere in Cumbria. A delicate gem of a film, with a powerhouse turn from Franky.
In UK and Irish cinemas
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The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Ichiro Suzuki Hall of Fame speech highlight of weekend in Cooperstown
Suzuki, who has had a full-time interpreter since he arrived in the United States in 2001, delivered his entire speech in English, cracking jokes with a perfect delivery, entertaining the crowd of 30,000 at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He was one of five players inducted in the 76th induction ceremony, joined by CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner and the late Dick Allen and Dave Parker. "People often measure me by my records,'' Suzuki said. "3,000 hits, 10 Gold Gloves, 10 seasons of 200 hits. Not bad, huh? But the truth is that without baseball, you would say, 'This guy is such a dumbass.'" Suzuki's comedy act was just beginning, reciting baseball stats, his 3,089 hits, his record 262-hit season, and saying how his career was recognized by the Baseball Writers Association of America, but it still wasn't good enough for the one anonymous writer who didn't vote for him, preventing him from joining Mariano Rivera as the only unanimous Hall of Famers in history. He paused, listened to the laughter from the crowd, and then with a perfect delivery said, "Oh, by the way, and that offer for that writer to have dinner at my house has now ... expired.'' He thanked the Seattle Mariners and Hall of Fame GM Pat Gillick for believing in him and signing him in 2001, thanked the New York Yankees for his 2 1/2 years with them, and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter for his valuable leadership. And then thanked the Miami Marlins for extending his career for three more years, but with a twist: "Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015,'' Suzuki said, pausing again, "I had never heard of your team.'' Suzuki's teammates all knew that he spoke perfect English, and had a delightful sense of humor, but now the baseball world became clued into his secret. "I played with him for three years, so I knew he could do that,'' Sabathia said. "I was just excited for people to get to know his personality and how funny he is.'' In the press conference after the ceremony, Suzuki said there was never any thought to delivering his speech in Japanese, saying it was important to him to provide humor to the fans and baseball officials in attendance in Cooperstown, while also making sure everyone understood the importance of respecting the game. "I always said that being a Hall of Famer wasn't a goal,'' Suzuki said, "but to make people laugh here was a goal of mine.'' The only time Suzuki spoke Japanese during his entire speech was thanking Hideo Nomo for giving him the courage to play Major League Baseball. "Because of Hideo's courage,'' Suzuki said, my eyes opened to the idea of challenging myself by going somewhere I never imagined." Nomo was the first Japanese player in 30 years to play in MLB in 1995, pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was an inspiration to Suzuki, who wrote an essay when he was in the sixth grade that he wanted to be a professional baseball player. "I think you can imagine, there was much doubt when I tried to become the first position player from Japan in MLB," he said. "But it was more than just that. There was criticism and negativity. Someone even said to me, 'Don't embarrass the nation.' "I encourage young players to dream, and dream big, but to also understand the difference between your dream and the goal. In order to make your dream your goal, you must be honest in thinking about what is important to achieve it.'' CC Sabathia hopes to see more Blacks in baseball Sabathia stressed throughout his speech and afterwards in a press conference, that he wants to do everything in his power to make sure he's not the last Black pitcher inducted into the Hall of Fame. He wants to be a role model in hopes of increasing the Black population of baseball, declining to just 6% on opening-day rosters this season. "When I first started watching baseball, and Dave Parker was crushing homers,'' Sabathia said, "the number of black players in the major leagues was at its highest, about 18%. Me and my friends played the game because we saw all of those guys on TV. There was always somebody who looked like me in a baseball unfiorm. "Baseball has always been a great game for Black athletes, but the baseball culture has not always great for Black people. I hope we're starting to turn that around. ... "I'm sitting here and thinking about it now, "Who's next? Who's the next Black starting pitcher to win 20 games? Will there be another? I don't want to be the final Black pitcher standing here giving a Hall of Fame speech. I think it's on me and the next generation to find that next kid.'' Sabathia's speech also was effusive in praise for the women in his life, from his mother, Margie, to his aunts and grandmother, Ethel Rufus, raising him in Vallejo, California. He wouldn't be on stage this day, he said, if not for the love and support of his wife, Amber. His mother used to put on catcher's equipment to help him work on his pitching mechanics, and even talking about pitch selection in the garage. And he spent plenty of nights at his grandmother's house where he would pick grapefruits from her tree and throw them at a folding chair used as a strikezone in the back yard. When he wanted to work at Marine World as a teenager, his grandmother wouldn't let him, telling him he needed to focus on baseball. "You'd be lucky to have even one of those women in your life,'' Sabathia said, "and I had them all. A village of women who raised me, guided me, made me laugh, fed me, protected me, and a few times, literally save me, starting with my mom.'' Billy Wagner's wait finally ends Wagner, who had to wait until the 10th and final year of eligibility to enter the Hall of Fame while Suzuki and Sabathia made it on the first ballot, thanked dozens of teammates from Jeff Bagwell to Russ Springer to his pitching coaches to bullpen catchers to managers to writers. Wagner, 5-foot-10, is the second pitcher to be inducted under six feet tall. "I wasn't the biggest, I wasn't left-handed [until twice breaking his right arm], I wasn't supposed to be here," Wagner said. "Perseverance isn't just a trait. It's a path to greatness. "Being up here today, I feel like my baseball life has come full circle." Dave Parker: Poet Parker, who died last month after battling Parkinson's since 2012, was able to let his son, David Parker II, present just what he wanted to say in his Hall of Fame speech, and wrote a poem before he passed. Here I am, 39. About damn time. I know I had to wait a little, but that's what you do with fine aged wine. I'm a Pirate for life. Wouldn't have it no other way. That was my family, even though I didn't go on Parade Day. I love y'all, the Bucs on my heart because those two championships I got, y'all played in the first part. I'm in the Hall now, you can't take that away. That statue better look good -- you know I got a pretty face. Top-tier athlete, fashion icon, sex symbol. No reason to list the rest of my credentials. I'm him, period. The Cobra. Known for my rocket arm, and I will run any catcher over. To my friends, families: I love y'all. Thanks for staying by my side. I told y'all Cooperstown would be my last ride.'' Dick Allen presented by his widow Allen's widow, Willa Allen, spoke for the Allen family, letting people know that her husband was a kind and passionate man, and was much more than just a Hall of Fame ballplayer. She told the story about the time a 16-year-old fan asked for his autograph at Dodger Stadium. They talked for two hours, and Allen wound up helping him throughout his life. He was in attendance Sunday at the age of 70. "It's not about where you come from, but where you're determined to go,'' Allen said. "It's about principle, passion and determination.'' When the ceremony ended, the players retreated to the Otesaga Hotel where they had a dinner for Hall of Fame players only. No family members. No friends. Just the players and commissioner Rob Manfred. But, before they got together and sat down, Suzuki had a request to his new Hall of Fame teammates. "I hope I can hold the values of the Hall of Fame,'' Suzuki said. "But please, I am 51 years old now. So easy on the hazing.'' Follow Bob Nightengale on X @Bnightengale.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Eagle-eyed fans spot what Chloe Kelly was doing in hilarious Lionesses celebration photo after Euro 2025 win
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PENALTY hero Chloe Kelly was the heart and soul of England's celebrations following the Lionesses dramatic Euro 2025 final victory over Spain. Kelly, 27, kept her cool to slot home the decisive penalty as England retained their title as European champions via a shootout on a historic night in Basel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Chloe Kelly was England's hero as the Lionesses won Euro 2025 Credit: Getty 4 Kelly scored the decisive penalty on a historic night in Basel Credit: Getty 4 England retained their title as European champions Credit: AP The Arsenal winger had cropped up off the bench when needed throughout the tournament, making her influence known and adding yet another decisive Euros goal to her growing list of career highlights. Kelly understandably had plenty to celebrate as she sang, danced and skipped her way across the pitch in the aftermath to the full-time whistle. However some England fans joked that she was getting a little carried away when a hilarious team photo surfaced seemingly showing her taking a nibble at a teammate's arm. A celebratory selfie snapped by veteran star Lucy Bronze, and uploaded to the Lionesses X account, looked to show Kelly munching on the elbow of substitute goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL what a leg-end England icon Lucy Bronze reveals she played whole Euro 2025 with broken leg Noticing that the Orlando Pride stopper appeared to have Kelly biting down on her arm, one England fan online joked: "Whose arm is Chloe Kelly munching on?" While another added: "Chloe Kelly looks like she's trying to eat someone's elbow". A third asked: "Is Chloe trying to eat Anna's arm?" And a fourth teased: "Chloe Kelly is getting hungry". 4 Kelly appeared to be biting down on Anna Moorhouse's elbow in a hilarious team selfie Credit: X @lionesses CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS In reality it seemed to just be an unfortunate angle, with Kelly actually celebrating with another teammate behind Moorhouse. The former Man City forward was the definition of a supersub, coming on for an injured Lauren James at the end of the first half and going on to set up Alessia Russo's equalising goal and netting the deciding spot kick. History-making Lionesses showed true English grit to win Euros and fully deserve the glory Kelly had similar influences from the bench in the Lionesses' dramatic semi-final and quarter-final victories over Italy and Sweden. Speaking after her confidently dispatched penalty, Kelly had no doubt she was going to score having had to rely on a rebounded miss for her winner against Italy earlier in the week. She told the BBC: "I was cool. I was composed. "And I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. I don't miss penalties twice". She added: "The celebrations are going to be crazy. I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows the love to all these girls, because they deserve it." The Lionesses made history by becoming the first England side across both the men's and women's game to win a major tournament on foreign soil. While boss Sarina Wiegman added a third consecutive Euros title to her trophy cabinet, her second with the Lionesses after initially tasting success as Holland boss in 2017.
Time Out
5 hours ago
- Time Out
Film adaptation of cult indie game ‘The Exit 8' due for release in late August
Gamers and horror movie buffs alike are gearing up for the release of one of this summer's most interesting-looking Japanese flicks: Exit 8, the film adaptation of the cult indie game The Exit 8. The original game, released in May 2023, quickly developed a huge following. Transcending language barriers with its use of psychological tension and the liminal space aesthetic, it's since received millions of downloads globally as well as numerous awards, and spawned a genre of 'Exit 8-likes'. For the uninitiated, here's a quick intro. In The Exit 8, players must navigate their way through a seemingly endless Tokyo subway corridor, spotting 'anomalies' along the way. As the rules of the game state, 'Do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you see an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don't, continue forward. Only leave through Exit 8.' Armed with a simple premise and minimalist gameplay, the game has enthralled a legion of fans for its ability to incite paranoia, claustrophobia and introspection. Its creator, the enigmatic Kotake Create, has since gone on to become a freelance developer and produce a popular sequel entitled Platform 8. Typically straying from public attention, Kotake Create has remained fairly stoic about his success, but has admitted that he's happy his idea has pioneered a genre. The film adaptation has already garnered rave reviews from critics. Screened to a sold-out crowd of 2,300 during the Cannes Festival's coveted Midnight Screening programme in May, it received a – perhaps not coincidental – eight-minute standing ovation. Genki Kawamura oversaw the writing, production and direction of the film, which was shot primarily on set in Tokyo. Perhaps best known for his novel If Cats Disappeared from the World, Kawamura has also produced a number of films, including Monster (2023) and animated features like Your Name (2016), Weathering With You (2019) and Suzume (2022). Exit 8 's protagonist, Lost Man, is played by Kazunari Ninomiya, at 42 still going strong as a member of the boy band Arashi while continuing an acting career that includes films such as Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), Gantz (2010) and Assassination Classroom (2015). Nana Komatsu (The World of Kanako (2014), Destruction Babies (2016), Silence (2016) and Drowning Love (2016)) will costar, while the breakout fan favourite from the videogame, Walking Man, will be played by Yamato Kochi, known mainly for minor roles in Japanese television series such as Kyo Kara Hittoman, Vivant and Antiohero. Despite its relatively minimalist source material, the film has in early reviews been praised for its creativity and complexity, with some critics already calling it 'possibly the best video game adaptation ever made' (Josh Korngut, Dread Central). The film's poster also won the Prix Luciole Award for best poster design at Cannes. Exit 8 is due for release in Japan on August 29, with an international release set to follow in September. Toho Cinemas will be hosting a special pre-release IMAX screening in Hibiya on August 8, complete with a live post-screening greeting from Kazunari Ninomiya. In addition, advance screenings featuring a live broadcast of Ninomiya's greeting will take place simultaneously in eight other cinemas across the country. You can check out the latest teaser below and follow the film's official website and Instagram for updates. More from Time Out Tokyo
