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Audiences want to see female leads in action movies, according to a 

 and the recent acclaim of Warner Bro's/DC's "Wonder Woman." 

? And why do female actresses of color hold such a small percent of roles?

," a collection of essays that examines the kind of messages about women portrayed by popular media.

Chocano said Hollywood's executives feel this narrow view of women — white, young, not in lead or action roles — is what will rack in cash.

"We find [that way of thinking] anywhere there's money and power," she told MPR's Kerri Miller.

" Chocano points out that women beyond their thirties are often not portrayed in popular television. 

This not only frustrates the older women who don't see themselves on the screen, but it's concerning for younger women.

"I think it's also important for younger women not to be told from the moment that they're children that they're going to disappear from the landscape by the age of 40," said Chocano. 

Bucking that trend was the latest Ghostbusters reboot, staring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.
 
The movie received a lot of pushback for not being an 

"It should be OK for a movie staring women to be a pretty successful movie and not have to carry the weight of all success of all female movies," said Chocano, who pointed out that mediocre movies are made by and about men all the time. 

Chocano liked "Ghostbusters" as well as "Wonder Woman" and was happy to say that her daughter enjoyed them as well.

 To hear more about Chocano's thoughts pop culture representations of women, use the audio player above. 

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Movies are often not made by or for women and female-led movies tend to limit their casting to white, young women.

Movies are often not made by or for women. Those that claim to be for female audiences are often limited their casting to white, young women. Charina Chocano is the author of "You Play the Girl," a collection of essays that reflects on popular culture's portrayal of women.

Pop culture's mixed messages to women

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