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Following Thursday's seemingly impulsive, and rather premature response from Sicko producer Meghan O'Hara, I was hoping that Michael Moore himself would issue a more intelligent statement regarding his being investigated by the U.S. Treasury Department because of a controversial trip he took to Cuba in March. Nope. After at least a day to think about it, he has written an open letter that is pretty much as unrestrained and immature as O'Hara's, but it is much longer. And it is addressed to (and probably already sent to) Secretary Henry Paulson of the Treasury Dept. Oops.

In the letter, Moore accuses the investigation of being a personal attack from the Bush Administration, and basically the document is just a long rant against the President, his ties to the health care industry, his abuse of the government and his mistreatment of 9/11 heroes. He also mentions Presidential candidate Fred Thompson and the New York Post as having triggered the investigation with their misleading information regarding the Cuba trip. He does use the opportunity to defend his case a little, though, and he has a few childish points. One is that the Administration knew of his plans to go to Cuba, but waited until a time nearer to SiCKO's release date to begin the investigation. Another is that he has broken no laws and has nothing to hide because it is not illegal to help your fellow man.

Well, I think he might be wrong about that last statement, especially if helping your fellow man includes supplying him with goods or services from Cuba. But, whatever, this is a movie blog, so I'll let the political sites discuss his guilt or innocence. I just find it interesting how Moore can be so public with his business, especially as it regards one of his films. Considering most movie companies have legal teams to protect them from such controversy, it is always a wonder if Moore really thinks this kind of move is a good marketing strategy. After all, didn't The Weinstein Co. just hire him two spin doctors for this sort of ordeal? Or is this incident more personally related to Moore than the film, so they won't be coming to his defense. Somebody needs to rescue Moore from himself sometimes.

For more on Sicko, check out some recently released art and photos.

Not much is known about Harold and Kumar 2, besides the fact that the boys get in trouble whilst trying to carry a bong on board a flight to Amsterdam. Well, for those interested in learning a bit more about their upcoming adventure, Moviehole has obtained a top secret super special casting call sheet. Oh yes, tell me you're not dying to see who will be starring opposite Kal Penn and John Cho. Well, we don't know their names, but we do know their characters' names and descriptions. And that should be enough to hold you off until a trailer finally leaks out. Keep in mind the following info does contain SPOILERS. You've been warned.

Apparently, Harold and Kumar will be taking a trip down south, as well as to Guantanamo Bay. And, it appears as if they'll be going from Miami to Texas, driving through trailer parks, inner city basketball games and, unfortunately, running into a few KKK members. Yes, they're also looking for someone to play President George W. Bush -- I imagine the boys want to convince him they're not terrorists, just heavy pot smokers. Harold and Kumar's parents are also in the film -- when we first meet Kumar's mom, she's "getting it on" with his dad. (That's a nice visual.) And, while Harold's parents speak flawless English, an interpreter insists on translating every word that comes out of his father's mouth. (That could get irritating, let's hope this joke doesn't overplay itself.) For a full list of character descriptions, head on over to Moviehole. Harold and Kumar Go to Hicksville (that's my title, not theirs) will debut at some point in 2008.

In this hilarious video, Borat (aka Sacha Baron Cohen) responds (via press conference) to those recent "Hey, we're really not so bad" advertisements shelled out by the government of Kazakhstan in an attempt to combat the negative press they feel Borat: Cultural Leanings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is giving them. Here, Borat goes on to explain how these advertisements are not coming from his government, but instead are "disgusting fabrications" provided by the "evil nitwits" of Uzbekistan. He also notes, on behalf of his government, that if Uzbekistan does not put a stop to these "attacks" they will "not rule out the possibility of military intervention."

As an added bonus, you also get to watch as Borat approaches the gates of the White House to try and invite President Bush to a screening of his film. I love it! Movie marketing at its best, folks. Check it out.