As I look back on the countless movies that have shaped my cinematic experience, one brave offering leaps to mind: Duel (1971), directed by the then-unknown Steven Spielberg. Having seen it for the first time just six years after its release, it struck an immediate chord with me—not merely as a film but as an immersive adventure during long, winding motorhome road trips down those nostalgic two-lane highways. After all, what’s a road trip without a bit of fear and exhilaration?

A Thrilling Premise

Duel is an unassuming yet masterful thriller, and it transports us into the boots of David Mann (portrayed by Dennis Weaver), a traveling salesman who becomes a reluctant protagonist in a deadly game of cat and mouse with an unseen truck driver in rural California. The movie begins innocently enough, but as Mann encounters a dilapidated Peterbilt, it transforms into a relentless chase that epitomizes the essence of road rage. The artful way Spielberg captures anxiety, frustration, and fear elevates Duel from a simple story to an engaging psychological thriller.

Relatable Tensions

As a fan of action-packed thrillers with heart-pounding car chases, I can’t help but revel in the film’s extraordinary use of vehicles as its main characters. The timeless duel between Mann and the monstrous truck illustrates a primal struggle of man vs. machine. Who hasn’t felt that rush of adrenaline while driving, especially when faced with reckless drivers? The movie resonates deeply with anyone who has ever been on the road, creating a unique connection that persists even after more than five decades.

The cinematography, predominantly shot on location in California, adds to its authenticity, and those dusty roads remind me of childhood summers spent on family road trips. Spielberg’s direction couples beautifully with Richard Matheson’s intelligent screenplay, which coaxes tension from every frame. What’s brilliant about this film is how it manages to elevate an ordinary incident into an epic survival story.

Sound and Fury

One of the film’s most compelling features is its minimalistic approach to sound. The absence of dialogue amplifies the eeriness and tension. The growl of the truck engine serves as a character in itself, conveying menace and power without uttering a word. Spielberg’s ability to utilize sound and silence strategically keeps viewers on the edge of their seats—a technique that would define his future projects.

From the pulse-quickening moments where Mann finds himself sandwiched between track and truck, to the visceral final confrontation, every scene is carefully crafted to maintain suspense. The artistry in storytelling is evident as the viewer is left guessing about the truck driver’s motives—an enigma that intensifies the film’s allure.

Timeless Legacy

Duel is not just a thrill ride; it has left an indelible mark on cinema and continues to influence filmmakers today. Spielberg’s take on road rage feels timeless, and the film’s status as a coveted cult classic attests to its lasting power. Critics laud it as one of the greatest television movies ever made, and it proudly sits in the annals of American film history.

This masterclass in suspense is more than just a movie; it’s a nostalgic experience that can turn a road trip into a thrilling escapade—even if you’re just driving to the grocery store. As I reflect on this film, I must highlight that it’s a testament to the art of storytelling; a simple narrative framework, developed with supreme direction and compelling visuals, can create anxious anticipation and excitement.

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Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Duel still resonates with viewers who appreciate its raw intensity, thrilling car and truck chases, and the fear of being prey in the vast, open roads. I wholeheartedly believe it stands the test of time, and if I were to rate it, it would earn a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in my book. A classic that perfectly encapsulates action, drama, and innovation in filmmaking, Duel remains an unforgettable ride that sparks both nostalgia and adrenaline, even fifty years later. If you haven’t seen it yet, rev up your engines and experience this cinematic gem—you won’t regret it!

Related links:

Duel ( Wikipedia)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duel_(1971_film)

Duel ( IMDb) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067023

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FanDuel customers can make a free pick in the FanDuel Sportsbook app on which Manning they think will win a live field goal competition for a chance to win a share of $10 million in Bonus Bets

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — FanDuel, North America’s premier online gaming company and an Official Sports Betting Partner of the National Football League, announced that Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, both two-time Super Bowl Champions, will compete head-to-head on Super Bowl Sunday for the first time in their legendary careers as they face off at Super Bowl LIX in the next installment of the Kick of Destiny. In FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny 3,” the Manning brothers will have to win with their legs instead of their arms in a kicking competition where they will both attempt field goals live in New Orleans on Super Bowl Sunday.

The live kicking competition will take place in the 3pm ET hour of the FOX Super Bowl Pregame Show and begin with each Manning attempting a 25-yard field goal to win the Kick of Destiny 3. If there is no winner after the initial kicks, the Mannings will get additional attempts. If a tiebreaker is needed after three rounds, the kicker who kicked it closest to the center target on the net in the last round will be declared the winner. FanDuel is offering customers the opportunity to make a free pick on which Manning they think will win through the FanDuel Sportsbook app, with eligible customers who pick correctly winning an equal share of $10 million in Bonus Bets.

“With the Kick of Destiny, we set out to make FanDuel a part of Super Bowl Sunday,” said FanDuel Executive Vice President of Marketing, Andrew Sneyd. “For year three, we’re raising the stakes by introducing a rivalry and a head-to-head Kick of Destiny competition. Peyton & Eli Manning will make history by competing against each other live for the first time in Super Bowl history. May the best Manning win!”

The first ad spot from the “Kick of Destiny 3” campaign opens with the unexpected revelation that, deep down, Eli always wanted to be a kicker. Making this dream a reality is why he is doing “Kick of Destiny 3.” Once Peyton finds out about this dream, he wants in and is determined to beat Eli. The integrated campaign will follow both Mannings as they prepare for the competition and culminates with the live, sudden-death field goal competition on Super Bowl Sunday.

“The Kick of Destiny is becoming a great Super Bowl Sunday tradition, and I’m feeling really good about my chances to get the win,” said Eli Manning. “I look forward to celebrating with everyone in America who picks me to beat Peyton.”

“Eli and I have always been competitive, and this is going to be a fun way to challenge each other in a completely different way,” said Peyton Manning. “I’ve been studying film of great kickers and training hard to make sure I bring home the win for everyone in America who picks me to beat Eli.”

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In addition to the live kick during the FOX Super Bowl Pregame Show, fans will also be able to experience the Kick of Destiny through two TV spots in the game. These ads will feature recap footage of the Mannings’ kicking contest edited into a celebration that showcases whether fans who picked Team Peyton or Team Eli won the $10 million in Bonus Bets. 

Fans can track the Mannings as they prepare for the “Kick of Destiny 3” by following @FanDuel and @FDSportsbook on X, Instagram and TikTok, subscribing on YouTube at YouTube.com/FanDuel and following #KickofDestiny on X for the latest updates. New and existing FanDuel customers can make their free pick on which Manning brother they think will win in the Sportsbook app ahead of the Super Bowl. More information can be found at www.FanDuel.com/kickofdestiny.

About FanDuel Group

FanDuel Group is the premier mobile gaming company in the United States. FanDuel Group consists of a portfolio of leading brands across mobile wagering including, America’s #1 Sportsbook FanDuel Sportsbook, its leading iGaming platform FanDuel Casino, the industry’s unquestioned leader in horse racing and advance-deposit wagering, FanDuel Racing and its daily fantasy sports product. In addition, FanDuel Group operates FanDuel TV, its broadly distributed linear cable television network and FanDuel TV+, its leading direct-to-consumer OTT platform. FanDuel Group has a presence across all 50 states with approximately 17 million customers and 25 retail locations. The company is based in New York with offices in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Jersey City, as well as in Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Romania and Australia.

FanDuel Group is a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest sports betting and gaming operator with a portfolio of globally recognized brands and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: FLUT). 

SOURCE FanDuel Group

Sensei introduces a new customer experience with democratic entry, simplified real-time basket checkout, discrepancy detection and streamlining the grocery experience for customers.

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — Sensei (https://www.sensei.tech/), a global leader in autonomous retail technology, is proud to announce the official debut of its groundbreaking autonomous supermarket at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, taking place in New York City from January 12-14. Sensei introduces real-time basket technology and an autonomous experience with assisted sales; transforming customer convenience and operational efficiency.

“Sensei’s technology goes beyond eliminating checkout lines – it enhances the entire shopping journey while providing retailers with invaluable real-time data to optimize their operations,” said Vasco Portugal, CEO and Co-Founder of Sensei. “We’re excited to bring this transformative solution to larger scale supermarkets and challenge the retail industry with what’s possible.“

At NRF 2025, Sensei will showcase a live demo of its autonomous store concept at Booth 117 in the FoodService Innovation Zone. Attendees will experience firsthand how Sensei’s technology creates a seamless shopping experience, combining:

• Autonomous Grocery Solutions: Consumers grab items like cereal, milk, or pasta, and their virtual basket updates in real-time.
• Assisted Sales Integration: Retailers can redeploy staff from checkout lines to high-value roles, such as supporting bakery or deli operations.
• Smart Integration: Automated systems like coffee machines can be seamlessly incorporated into the autonomous ecosystem.

Pioneering Retail Innovation
Sensei’s proprietary AI technology combines computer vision, machine learning and sensors to achieve 99% accuracy in tracking consumer interactions with products, a significant improvement over existing autonomous solutions. Shoppers enjoy transparency, as purchases are displayed in real-time, eliminating the friction of scanning and lines.

Exclusive Launch Announcement
Sensei’s presence at NRF coincides with the launch of its 1,200+ square-meter autonomous supermarket in Portugal, in partnership with MC (Sonae Group), the country’s leading grocery retailer. This groundbreaking achievement sets a new benchmark for large-scale autonomous retail environments. Store features include:

• Democratic Entry: No app, card, or registration is required to enter the store. The entry is open as in any regular supermarket.
• Diverse and Comprehensive Assortment: The store offers a range of products similar to a traditional supermarket, including solutions like weighable fruits and vegetables, a fish market with service, and bakery and pastry options sold in bulk.
• Simplified Checkout: Thanks to “real-time basket” technology, customers don’t need to scan products. At checkout, items automatically appear on the screen for confirmation, eliminating the need to remove products from bags or carts.
• Discrepancy Detection: The technology identifies discrepancies between what the customer picked up (e.g., fruits and vegetables) and what was actually weighted, ensuring greater control and accuracy throughout the shopping journey.

This innovative retail environment integrates AI-powered computer vision, shelf sensors, and real-time inventory tracking to provide unparalleled accuracy and convenience for consumers while delivering valuable behavioral insights and operational efficiencies for retailers.

Visit Sensei at NRF 2025
Sensei will host autonomous store demo at its booth (#117) in the FoodService Innovation Zone at NRF 2025. Explore how autonomous solutions can revolutionize grocery stores, convenience stores, and beyond.

About Sensei
Sensei is the leading European provider of autonomous retail technology, a pioneer in the industry, it was the first technology company to open fully autonomous stores in Europe, Latin America and Brazil. Through an advanced infrastructure that combines AI, computer vision, and sensor fusion, Sensei builds experiences that make shopping more intuitive and generate unprecedented store metrics and performance insights for businesses. www.sensei.tech

SOURCE Sensei Tech

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