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A federal judge is pressing the Justice Department to justify the White House's decision to ban reporters from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico. Lawyers for the affected outlets were back in court this week, continuing a legal fight that cuts to the heart of press access and First Amendment protections in the current administration.
Shifting to the awards circuit, Ava DuVernay's documentary sequel "Fourteenth" will close the New York Film Festival and is heading into Oscar season with some serious musical firepower. The film features an original song called "Makings of Tomorrow," written and performed by Brittany Howard and Robert Glasper, with Netflix backing a full awards campaign.
And in a story that blends performance, ambiguity, and royal family drama, Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer has given a notably split verdict on Kristen Stewart's portrayal in "Spencer." He called the film itself terrible, but told journalist Tina Brown he was genuinely struck by how accurately Stewart captured his sister's essence. High praise wrapped in a harsh review.
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