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Oscars 2014: The Best Survivor award
They took a licking and kept on ticking. The Oscar for survival under extreme circumstances goes to …
By Glenn Whipp
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One life preserver: Giiiiligaaan!
Two life preservers: Here’s to you Mrs. Robinson
Three life preservers: Tough as Edward G. Robinson
Four life preservers: The ultimate Robinson — Crusoe
Our Man (Robert Redford)
Three life preservers
Capt. Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks)
Three and a half life preservers
Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock)
Four life preservers
David Grant (Will Forte)
Four life preservers
Our Man (Robert Redford)
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The movie:
“All Is Lost” |
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The setup:
Solo sailing expedition goes awry when boat collides with cargo container. |
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The threat:
Dehydration, despair and, ultimately, drowning. |
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Survival strategy:
Repair hole in ship’s hull. Then leisurely prepare a meal(!) and sail aimlessly toward possible help. |
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Skill rating:
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Capt. Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks)
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The movie:
“Captain Phillips” |
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The setup:
Somali pirates capture cargo ship, demand exorbitant ransom. |
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The threat:
We mentioned there were pirates, right? They have guns and they’re agitated. |
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Survival strategy:
Misdirection, dogged perseverance, staying calm. |
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Skill rating:
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Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock)
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The movie:
“Gravity” |
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The setup:
Space debris takes out astronauts’ spacecraft, setting them adrift. |
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The threat:
Loss of oxygen and the waning belief that life must continue in the face of tragic loss. |
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Survival strategy:
Locate another way back to Earth, deal with existential estrangement. |
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Skill rating:
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David Grant (Will Forte)
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The movie:
“Nebraska” |
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The setup:
Reluctant son, David, drives ornery, oddball dad from Montana to Nebraska to claim nonexistent sweepstakes prize. |
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The threat:
Long stretches of close confinement with a mulish old-timer, prolonged exposure to weird relatives. |
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Survival strategy:
Sustained consumption of alcohol, though, as we learn, “beer ain’t drinking.” |
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Skill rating:
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