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Keep Hankies Handy For Heartwarmers 'Hollis Woods' And 'For One More Day'

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By WALT BELCHER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2007

What would the holiday season be without those heartwarming, sentimental and meaningful movies such as "Pictures of Hollis Woods," which debuts at 9 p.m. Sunday on CBS?

Sissy Spacek stars in this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation that is so moving, it will probably inspire you to send a Hallmark card to a loved one.

Spacek portrays Josie Cahill, a retired art teacher who takes in a 12-year-old girl named Hollis Woods (Jodelle Ferland).

Hollis has a talent for drawing pictures, but she also carries a lot of scars from a hard-knocks life in foster homes.

Just as it appears that she has found a happy place, Hollis detects that Josie has the beginning symptoms of Alzheimer's. The girl soon becomes the caretaker for the teacher.

When the child's social worker (Alfre Woodward) discovers the illness, Hollis takes drastic action in an attempt to keep from being taken away again. The film is based on a top-selling children's book by Patricia Reilly Giff.

"Pictures of Hollis Woods" would be the most tear-jerk-worthy movie of the season, but coming up on Dec. 9 on ABC is "For One More Day."

This one is being presented by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions, which is as big a brand name as Hallmark.

"For One More Day" is based on a best-selling book by Mitch Albom, who knows how to put a lump in the throat.

Christopher Imperioli, of "The Sopranos," stars as a down-on-his-luck former baseball player who suffers from alcoholism and depression. When he attempts suicide, he is magically granted one more day with his deceased mother (Ellen Burstyn).

Like the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, she shows him the way to change his life. Look for Imperioli's real-life son, Vadim, in his acting film debut.

NBC RENEWALS: NBC has picked up freshmen series "Chuck" and "Life" for a full season (depending on when the writers strike ends).

But two other newcomers, "Journeyman" and "Bionic Woman," are on the ropes. If ratings don't improve, these sci-fi thrillers may be gone.

"Chuck," a Monday comedy about a nerd (Zachery Levi) who becomes a reluctant spy, has been one of the surprises of the fall season.

It opened to mixed reviews, but positive word of mouth has helped it find an audience. NBC has ordered nine more episodes to make a full season.

"Life," starring Damien Lewis as an offbeat police detective, is not a hit yet, but NBC officials see potential in the Wednesday drama.

BUH-BYE, BOB: WFLA anchor Bob Hite signs off at 6 tonight after 30 years at Channel 8.

A special, "Bob Hite: Sailing On," at 7 p.m. Saturday on WFLA commemorates his career. It features interviews with those who know Hite, including his longtime friend Walter Cronkite.

I recently spent the day with Hite on a boat on Tampa Bay, where we conducted a series of interviews that can be seen on TBO.com. See the "Hite Interviews" on the "Bob Hite: Sailing On" page.

Hite talks about how and why he came to Tampa; recalls his late father, who was an announcer for CBS radio; shares memories of his "Eight Country" reports; and pays tribute to his co-workers, including anchor Gayle Sierens.

COMING ATTRACTIONS: Don't miss the Sci-Fi Channel's impressive "The Tin Man" beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday. It's a clever, engaging miniseries based on "The Wizard of Oz."

But in this version, the residents of the Outer Zone (OZ) are aliens. The Tin Man is an Indiana Jones-type sheriff.

Scarecrow is a scientist whose brain has been removed. The Cowardly Lion is a psychic. Toto is a shape-shifting old man, and Dorothy Gail is one tough cookie.

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