A Scorsese classic, Raging Bull, tells the tale of another talented tortured soul (boxer Jake LaMotta). While originally condemned for the graphic violence in the boxing scenes, it grew acclaim over the years for the unique camera angles in the ring that didn’t gloss over the dark side of sports like many sports movies.
Emulating this style is likely what got critics to write about how Whiplash approached jazz music “with all the psychological intensity of a battlefield or sports arena”.
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A “highwayman” is a thief that preyed on travelers in the night. That a respected businessman by day has to resort to crime by night illustrates that it truly was the best and worst of times. And the fact this man transforms once night hits deepens the light vs. dark motif in this novel.
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Light vs. dark is a timeless motif, but it is especially relevant to A Tale of Two Cities – pay attention to the constant mentions of light, lanterns, and candles as well night skies, mist, and darkness.
Dickens illustrates that the two are antitheses but also intertwined later in the chapter, when he mentions that “the highwayman in the dark was a City tradesman in the light”; two dissimilar professions are occupied by the same man.
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What is this?
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Nelly’s hometown St. Louis Rams were dubbed “The Greatest Show On Turf” because they performed great when at their home field, the Trans World Dome.
Similarly, Nelly is most comfortable spitting game when he’s in his hometown of St. Louis.
It's yo' friendly neighborhood cat
Leaning in that Modena Spider, man Nelly – Spida Man
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Nelly plays on the superhero Spiderman’s catchphrase “it’s your friendly neighborhood Spiderman”.
Really he’s talking about the Ferrari 360 Spider coupe, the “horrific” (in a good way) car he saw in the intro.
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We get an early glimpse at the danger of dualities and double lives, as this man is killed for making the mistake of trying to rob the same men he partook in legitimate business with.
“The Captain” is his “criminal” name, and it seemed to be a popular one amongst highwaymen, as Captain Gallagher, Captain Thunderbolt, and Captain Lightfoot were all notorious highwaymen.
It’s not “the Captain” who gets killed; the highwayman kills his fellow-tradesman. Hence it should read above: “this man kills the same men he partook in legitimate business with because they recognised him”