Asians take the lead

Slowly, but surely, the industry is diversifying with more people of Asian descent to the big screen. Here are some films with lead roles held by Asian-descent minorities.

1.) "Abominable"

I absolutely can't wait to see this DreamWorks animated film! The movie is about a teenage girl named Yi (voiced by Chloe Bennet) who embarks on a journey with her two friends, Jin (voiced by Tenzing Norgay Trainor) and Peng (voiced by Albert Tsai), to return a Yeti to his home. Set in China, they must travel to The Himalayas.

2.) "Blinded By the Light"

After watching this film, one can see why Bruce Springsteen's music is appreciated: it speaks to everyday people. Javed, played by Viveik Kalra, is a Pakistani teen living in small town Luton, where he finds comfort in the music of Springsteen while struggling with issues of racism, fitting in, and love. Best of all, it's based on a true story!

3.) "Yesterday"

This film is definitely on my to-watch list. What if The Beatles never existed? Jack, played by Himesh Patel, is an aspiring music artist who wakes up to find that the band never came about. Knowing their lyrics by heart, he uses them as his own and instantly becomes a hit. Jack gets everything he wants, the stardom and glamour that The Beatles once faced, but of course with fame, comes consequences. How far will he go?

4.) "Last Christmas"

One of my favorite things about the holidays are the release of Christmas movies in theaters. It must be quite a challenge for a holiday movie to become a classic, but I must say, I am pretty excited to see this one! Emilia Clarke who held the lead role in 2016's "Me Before You" and Henry Golding from "Crazy Rich Asians"? That's it, I'm seeing it and it's an instant classic for me. As the trailer unfolds, it appears that Kate (played by Clarke), a young woman with a formerly ill past, falls in love with a mysterious, yet charming man (played by Golding).

5.) "The Sun Is Also A Star"

Another romance book-to-film adaptation? Call me in. Based on the YA novel, Natasha, played by Yara Shahidi, is a teenage girl who was raised in New York, but born in Jamaica. On the day she finds out her family is being deported, she meets Daniel, played by "Riverdale" star Charles Melton, and they immediately fall in love. With only a day to spare, they try to make the best of it.

6.) "The Farewell"

This movie focuses on one family with one big secret: the grandmother is dying of cancer. Golden Globe winner Awkwafina plays Billi, who finds it hard and morally wrong to keep such a secret from her.

7.) "Parasite"

This Golden Globe winning film focuses on class discrimination. The Parks are a family of wealth and the Kims are otherwise. The Kim family finds it an opportunity to be financially supported by the Parks as a tutor and art therapist.

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