Latest news with #MichaelHui
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How the Hui Brothers, Hong Kong comedy giants in the 1970s, kept the laughs going later
The Hui Brothers – Michael Hui Koon-man, Ricky Hui Koon-ying and Sam Hui Koon-kit – defined Hong Kong comedy in the 1970s with films like The Private Eyes, The Contract and Security Unlimited. But Michael, helped by Ricky, continued to make hilarious films throughout the 1980s and beyond. Here we look at three of his best as a comedy actor and co-screenwriter. 1. Inspector Chocolate (1986) A return to form for Michael Hui after a fallow period, this humorous detective film was directed by Philip Chan Yan-kin, a former real-life policeman who made his name in the film industry as an actor, writer and director. Play 'Magic is in the air when the cop meets the comedian,' noted the Hong Kong Film Archive. 'Chocolate Inspector is a special confluence of divergent talents, where Michael Hui's little-man shtick is informed by Philip Chan's tough-guy disposition. Chan, by 1986 a seasoned filmmaker, captures Hui's iconic wit with precise timing and assured mise-en-scène.' The titular character, so named because he likes to eat chocolate Smarties, is often described as bumbling, but he is not an Inspector Clouseau type – he's just an average policeman trying to do his best. This time around, the humour takes more from Woody Allen than Charlie Chaplin or Mel Brooks. Michael's delirious slapstick is still present, but it is integrated into the drama, and the crime story takes precedence over the jokes. Sandra Lang (left) and Michael Hui in a still from Inspector Chocolate (1986). Photo: Fortune Star Media Aided by Ricky Hui's character, Inspector Chocolate is tasked with finding the kidnapped son of a famous TV chef but discovers that he is out of his depth.
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'The Last Dance' among Malaysia's top Chinese films
KUALA LUMPUR: The Last Dance, the popular Chinese movie screened late last year, has now garnered RM18.8 million at the box office, to become one of the Top 10 best selling Chinese movies in Malaysia. The movie produced, directed and co-written by Anselm Chan and starring Hong Kong superstars Michael Hui and Dayo Wong, as well as Michelle Wai, Tommy Chu and Catherine Chau, is the highest-grossing Hong Kong movie in Malaysia over the last six years. A statement from its distributors Lotus Five Star and Five Star AV yesterday said that it had collected over HK$166 million (RM93.6 million) in Hong Kong and Macau, to become one of the highest-grossing movies in both territories. The Last Dance has also received critical acclaim and numerous accolades including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor, with a record-breaking 18 nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards this year. The film also has an extended version which includes 13 minutes of never-before-seen footage, currently being screened in cinemas. The Last Dance explores themes related to Hong Kong's deathcare and follows a wedding planner (Wong) who enters the funeral industry through a partnership with a traditional Taoist priest (Hui), seeking to understand the meaning of life and death through funeral rituals.
