Selasa, 06 Mei 2014

Movie The Cars

Pixar’s done it again. Director John Lasseter adds yet another winner to his impressive string of blockbuster hits with Cars, a vibrant, emotionally engaging, entertaining trip down memory lane courtesy of anthropomorphic cars. Stunning graphics and a first-rate voice cast infuse the adorable autos with real personality and set Cars apart from the recent slew of mediocre animated offerings.
Lasseter’s Cars is a touching homage to the bygone days of family road trips. Cars evokes memories of a time when one of the most popular ways to spend vacation days was to pack up the kids and travel leisurely around America, stopping in little out-of-the-way towns filled with friendly folks and spending quality time enjoying the wonders of life on the road. A nostalgic look back at small town America, Cars contains none of the real silliness of recent animated films (there aren't any talking animals anywhere to be seen in Cars, but there are a couple of fart jokes) and never fails to make each and every character come alive on the screen.
The story follows Lightning McQueen (voiced byOwen Wilson), a rookie racing sensation whose life in the fast lane has left him little time for friends. On his way to what could possibly be the most important race in his young life, Lightning runs into some trouble with the law and finds himself forced to spend time in Radiator Springs, a tiny town located off of the legendary Route 66.
© Disney/Pixar
Life in Radiator Springs moves at a much slower pace than Lightning’s used to, and the citizens who make up the little blip on the map have nothing better to do with their time than to watch Lightning lay down blacktop and offer unsolicited advice on life. Among the cars who inhabit Radiator Springs are a 51 Hudson Hornet named Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), a pretty little Porsche (Bonnie Hunt), a low-rider who runs a body shop (Cheech Marin), Guido (Guido Quaroni) and Luigi (Tony Shalhoub) the tire store guys/Italian racing enthusiasts, and Mater the Tow Truck (Larry the Cable Guy) who considers himself Lightning McQueen’s new best friend.
Cars is the first CGI creation from the talented crew at Pixar that doesn’t feature a world within our world. In the totally make-believe land of Cars, there’s nary a human in sight. The cars drive themselves, man gas stations and diners, and even hold down jobs as TV reporters. This is a universe created just for autos, by a director who was inspired to create the film while vacationing with his family and tooling around America.
It’s obvious Lasseter put his heart and soul into Cars. What he’s created, along with the rest of the crew and the incredible voice cast, is an incredibly sweet film bound to be one of those movies kids love to watch over and over and over on DVD. Even with the slightly long running time of 116 minutes, Cars keeps the attention of even the youngest audience members.
I confess to having been a little worried about this particular Pixar film. The premise of Carsjust didn’t sound that interesting and I’m not a fan of racing, so it was with more than a little trepidation that I sat through the screening of Disney and Pixar’s latest collaboration. For those of the same mindset, let me set your worries aside. You absolutely, positively do not have to be into watching cars circle a track to get into this nifty little feel-good film.
Every voice fits and every scene works. From tractor tipping to the actual racing sequences to miniature Volkswagen Beetles flitting around windows like flies, Cars never hits a bump in the road. Even the soundtrack’s catchy. If it weren’t for the ridiculous price of gasoline, Cars is so charming it would probably inspire a whole new generation of families to hit the road on a quest to rediscover America.
Sumber : http://movies.about.com/od/cars/fr/carsrev060806.htm

Passive and Active Voices

            Verbs are also said to be either active (The executive committee approved the new policy) or passive (The new policy was approved by the executive committee) in voice. In the active voice, the subject and verb relationship is straightforward: the subject is a be-er or a do-er and the verb moves the sentence along. In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is neither a do-er or a be-er, but is acted upon by some other agent or by something unnamed (The new policy was approved). Computerized grammar checkers can pick out a passive voice construction from miles away and ask you to revise it to a more active construction. There is nothing inherently wrong with the passive voice, but if you can say the same thing in the active mode, do so (see exceptions below). Your text will have more pizzazz as a result, since passive verb constructions tend to lie about in their pajamas and avoid actual work.
           
            We find an overabundance of the passive voice in sentences created by self-protective business interests, magniloquent educators, and bombastic military writers (who must get weary of this accusation), who use the passive voice to avoid responsibility for actions taken. Thus "Cigarette ads were designed to appeal especially to children" places the burden on the ads — as opposed to "We designedthe cigarette ads to appeal especially to children," in which "we" accepts responsibility. At a White House press briefing we might hear that "The President was advised that certain members of Congress were being audited" rather than "The Head of the Internal Revenue service advised the President that her agency was auditing certain members of Congress" because the passive construction avoids responsibility for advising and for auditing. One further caution about the passive voice: we should not mix active and passive constructions in the same sentence: "The executive committeeapproved the new policy, and the calendar for next year's meetings was revised" should be recast as "The executive committee approved the new policy and revised the calendar for next year's meeting."

Take the quiz (below) as an exercise in recognizing and changing passive verbs.

The passive voice does exist for a reason, however, and its presence is not always to be despised. The passive is particularly useful (even recommended) in two situations:
·         When it is more important to draw our attention to the person or thing acted upon: The unidentified victim was apparently struck during the early morning hours.
·         When the actor in the situation is not important: The aurora borealis can be observed in the early morning hours.

            The passive voice is especially helpful (and even regarded as mandatory) in scientific or technical writing or lab reports, where the actor is not really important but the process or principle being described is of ultimate importance. Instead of writing "I poured 20 cc of acid into the beaker," we would write "Twenty cc of acid is/was poured into the beaker." The passive voice is also useful when describing, say, a mechanical process in which the details of process are much more important than anyone's taking responsibility for the action: "The first coat of primer paint is applied immediately after the acid rinse."

            We use the passive voice to good effect in a paragraph in which we wish to shift emphasis from what was the object in a first sentence to what becomes the subject in subsequent sentences.

            The executive committee approved an entirely new policy for dealing with academic suspension and withdrawal. The policy had been written by a subcommittee on student behavior. If students withdraw from course work before suspension can take effect, the policy states, a mark of "IW" . . . .
The paragraph is clearly about this new policy so it is appropriate that policy move from being the object in the first sentence to being the subject of the second sentence. The passive voice allows for this transition.

Passive Verb Formation
           
            The passive forms of a verb are created by combining a form of the "to be verb" with the past participle of the main verb. Other helping verbs are also sometimes present: "The measure could have been killed in committee." The passive can be used, also, in various tenses. Let's take a look at the passive forms of "design."

Tense
Subject
Auxiliary
Past
Participle
Singular
Plural
Present
The car/cars
is
Are
designed.
Present perfect
The car/cars
has been
have been
designed.
Past
The car/cars
was
Were
designed.
Past perfect
The car/cars
had been
had been
designed.
Future
The car/cars
will be
will be
designed.
Future perfect
The car/cars
will have been
will have been
designed.
Present progressive
The car/cars
is being
are being
designed.
Past progressive
The car/cars
was being
were being
designed.

            A sentence cast in the passive voice will not always include an agent of the action. For instance if a gorilla crushes a tin can, we could say "The tin can was crushed by the gorilla." But a perfectly good sentence would leave out the gorilla: "The tin can was crushed." Also, when an active sentence with an indirect object is recast in the passive, the indirect object can take on the role of subject in the passive sentence:

Active
Professor Villa gave Jorge an A.
Passive
An A was given to Jorge by Professor Villa.
Passive
Jorge was given an A.

            Only transitive verbs (those that take objects) can be transformed into passive constructions. Furthermore, active sentences containing certain verbs cannot be transformed into passive structures. To have is the most important of these verbs. We can say "He has a new car," but we cannot say "A new car is had by him." We can say "Josefina lacked finesse," but we cannot say "Finesse was lacked." Here is a brief list of such verbs*:
resemble
look like
equal
agree with
Mean
contain
hold
comprise
Lack
suit
fit
become

Verbals in Passive Structures

            Verbals or verb forms can also take on features of the passive voice. An infinitive phrase in the passive voice, for instance, can perform various functions within a sentence (just like the active forms of the infinitive).
·         Subject: To be elected by my peers is a great honor.
·         Object: That child really likes to be read to by her mother.
·         Modifier: Grasso was the first woman to be elected governor in her own right.

The same is true of passive gerunds.

·         Subject: Being elected by my peers was a great thrill.
·         Object: I really don't like being lectured to by my boss.
·         Object of preposition: I am so tired of being lectured to by my boss.




Passive Verbs


1.       The books were taken by John.
John took the books.
2.       The boxes were mailed today.
He mailed the boxes today.
3.       The two packages were opened by my secretary.
My secretary opened the two packages.
4.       Our homework is corrected by our teacher.
Our teacher corrects our homework.
5.       Two buildings have been constructed by that company.
That company had constructed two buildings.
6.       That room wasn’t cleaned carefully yesterday.
He didn’t clean that room carefully yesterday.
7.       The truck is being loaded by the men now.
The men are loading the truck now.
8.       Was that machine checked by the inspector?
Did the inspector check that machine?
9.       Will that report be written by the same committee?
Will the same committee write that report?
10.   Has the news been announced by the president yet?
Has the president announced the news yet?
11.   The mail is delivered to this office twice a day.
This office receives the mail twice a day.
12.   All of us were surprised by his frank attitude.
His frank attitude surprised all of us.
13.   Was the repair work done by the mechanic?
Did the mechanic do the repair work?
14.   He wasn’t very much respected by the employees.
The employees didn’t respect him very much.
15.   Are many courses in English given during the summer?
Are they giving many courses in English during the summer?



1.       He signed the letter.
The letter was signed by him.
2.       The secretary opens the mail every morning.
The mails is opened by the secretary every morning.
3.       The committee is considering that proposal right now.
That proposal is being considered by the committee right now.
4.       The army will complete that project next year.
That project will be completed by the army next year.
5.       His boss has transferred him to another department.
He has been transferred to another department by his boss.
6.       Will the company distribute the announcements?
Will the announcements be distributed by the company?
7.        An artist wrote that interesting article about Paris.
That interesting article about Paris was written by an artist.
8.       Today a large number of people speak English.
English is spoken by a large number of people today.
9.       Didn’t they return those books to the library?
Were those books not return by them to the library?
10.   The government has not changed that regulation yet.
That regulation has not been changed by the government yet.
11.   Someone stole all her valuable jewelry last night.
All her valuable jewelry were stolen by someone last night.
12.   Miss Peters wrote all of the reports for Mr. Johnson.
All of the reports were written my Miss Peters for Mr. Johnson.
13.   Bad weather has delayed Flight 202 from Miami.
Flight 202 from Miami has been delayed due to bad weather.
14.   Did the court divide the money among the children?
Were the money divided by the court among the children?
15.   Many scholars have translated that famous Greek epic.
That famous Greek epic has been translated by many scholars.


1.       Everyone (shock) by the terrible news yesterday.
 Active  : The terrible news was shocked everyone yesterday.
2.       Almost everyone (enjoy) the lecture last night.
Passive : The lecture was enjoyed by almost everyone last night.
3.       English (teach) in the schools of almost every nation.
Active   : English taught in the schools of almost every nation.
4.       That proposal (consider) by the members right now.
Passive : That proposal is considering by the members right now.
5.       The accident (happen) right here at 6:30 last night.
Active   : The accident happened right here at 6:30 last night.
6.       Smith (teach) at the University of Washington since 1948.
Active   : Smith has taught at the University of Washington since 1948.
7.       Mr. Harris (divide) the class into two sections tomorrow.
Passive : The class will be divided into two sections by Mr. Harris tomorrow.
8.       Wilson (borrow) the money from Brown two weeks ago.
Active   : Wilson borrowed the money from Brown two weeks ago.
9.       Not much (say) about the matter since that time.
Active   : Not much said about the matter since that time.
10.   My friend (write) to me about it several times now.
Active   : My friend is writing to me about it several times now.
11.   Davis (promote) to the rank of sergeant last week.
Active   : Davis was promoted to the rank of sergeant last week.
12.   That event (occur) shortly after the meeting last week.
Active   : That event occurred shortly after the meeting last week.
13.   All the students (bring) guests to the party tomorrow night.
Passive : Guests will be brought by all the students to the party tomorrow night.
14.   Less than half of the cans of paint (use) up to now.
Passive : The cans of paint is being used less than half up to now.
15.   More classes in English (list) in the catalog next fall.
Passive : The catalog will be listed more classes in English next fall.
16.   Everything (go) well so far. There (be) no trouble yet.
Active   : Everything is going well so far. There is no trouble yet.
17.   That movie about Napoleon’s life (disappoint) me greatly.
Active   : That movie about Napoleon’s life disappointed me greatly.
18.   The mail (deliver, always) to this office before 10 a.m.
Active   : The mail is always deliver to this office before 10 a.m.
19.   Who (furnish) the food for the picnic next weekend?
Active   : Who will furnish the food for the picnic next weekend?
20.   At this time, much attention (devote) to that problem.
Active   : At this time, much attention is devoting to that problem.
21.   Think carefully. I’m sure you (remember) his name.
Active   : Think carefully. I’m sure you remember his name.
22.   We (treat) very kindly by our hosts last Saturday.
Active   : Our hosts were treated us very kindly last Saturday.
23.   Mr. Wilson (make) something interesting statements yesterday.
Passive : Something interesting statements were made by Mr. Wilson yesterday.
24.   A new textbook (publish) by that company next year.
Active   : That company will publish a new textbook next year.
25.   The noise from the trains (annoy) me terribly last night.
Active   : The noise from the trains annoyed me terribly last night.
26.   That old red house (build) in the year 1822.
Active   : That old red house was built in the year 1822.
27.   The report (examine, not) by a committee of experts yet.
Active   : A committee of expert has not examine the report yet.
28.   Cocktails (serve) to the guests about 10 minutes from now.
Passive : Cocktails will be served to the guests about 10 minutes from now.
29.   His sharp remarks (embarrass) everyone last night.
Active   : His sharp remarks embarrassed everyone last night.
30.    Fred (introduce) to the fellow by Mr. Brown yesterday.
Active   : Mr. Brown introduced Fred to the fellow yesterday.
31.   Listen to this! I think this news (surprise) you!
Active   : Listen to this! I think this news will surprise you!
32.   The Ajax Shoe Company (employ) 25 new men next month.
Active   : The Ajax Shoe Company will employ 25 new men next month.
33.   Only 25 new students (admit) into the department in 1955.
Active   : Only 25 new students were admitted into the department in 1955.
34.   A second coat of paint (spread) over that surface tomorrow.
Active   : A second coat of paint will spread over that surface tomorrow.