Reborn

Some weekends are quite forgettable. We should always hope for nothing but rainbows. It feels me with pride to have redisovered the pure joy of being a Prince of the Universe. Of course, I was quite optimistic when Prince Sean informed me of our upcoming assignment. However, it had been awhile since we last performed. My fitness skills had drastically declined, as had my overall medical well-being.

Regardless, it was a true privilege to be invited to participate in Will O'Loughlen's documentary project. As Mr. O'Louglen's delicate interview dived into the deep memories and hungry desires of the Princes of the Universe, my heart sprung to life. I was a child again. I couldn't wait to dance down Hollywood Boulevard promiting peace, love, and music.

Take my hand. Hold it. Embrace it. Love it. This is what I strive to do for everybody who witnessed the emotional reawakening of Prince Sean and myself. It was such a pleasure to see the gleeful participation of so many faces out in Hollywood this past weekend. We all danced. We all smiled. Thanks to all of you, the Princes of the Universe are back.

-BTB

Back In Action and In Top Form

Dear Faithful Followers,

I do sincerely apologize for the hiatus that Prince Bryan and myself have been on. It's as if we were on a journey where we took a vow of silence, not allowing ourselves any contact with the outside world. Clearly that is unacceptable to our many friends, family and fans out there.

Because of this, we have wonderful news to report. The Princes of the Universe are back and in full force!

To start things off we have a welcome back performance happening this Saturday (6/19) on Hollywood and Highland. We have been approached to be the subject of independent filmmaker Will O'Loughlen's documentary about the different parts and people of Los Angeles.

Naturally, we are honored and hold Mr. O'Loughlen in high regard for choosing us to be a part of this fascinating cultural study.

This will be a "greatest hits" of sorts for us where we pull out all the old moves and tunes. At the same time, we need a little re-inventing so we will be attempting to connect with more fans this time, adding a personal touch. Any of you old fans are sure to enjoy the classic hits we will be performing and we welcome people of all over to find out about us for the first time.

In addition to this, we will be starting a Facebook page. It is a necessary step in getting the word out about us and helping spread the message about Peace, Music and the joy of Dancing.

We regret all the time we have spent away from the world and are happy to be back in the saddle. If you can make it out to the show on Saturday, great, if not, I'm sure it'll be documented properly for more to see.

As always, thanks for the continued support and love.

- Prince Sean

Knowing The Truth

I realize that I frequently discuss Nicolas Cage on this blog so I must apologize for bringing him up again. I do it out of admiration for his daring choices. I do it for his brilliance. Mainly though, I do it because he faces such harsh criticism. Let's take his new film, Knowing, for example. Opening day was a rough day for this film. Around 90% of the critics were bashing the film and more specifically Nicolas Cage. His performance, his hair, his roles in the past. All this came in to question once again.

I believe that most people go to his movies expecting to be disappointed or hate him in the film. In fact, his life as an actor seems to mirror that of the character he plays in The Weather Man. I truly believe that if people could, they would throw food at him. But his performances are unique, funny, brave even. What other actor could portray a depressed alcoholic drinking himself to death, a southern marine sent to jail for defending his wife all the while becoming a reluctant hero, an out of work and down on his luck man confused for a hitman, and a police officer thrown into a confusing world of bees, women, bear suits and punching sprees? Imagine Sean Penn doing that? Imagine Denzel Washington? Can you see Russell Crowe playing those parts? No, and they too are Academy Award winning actors.

Nicolas Cage seems to get the last laugh though. Knowing opened up to #1 at the box office and continued to do reasonably well it's second week. I, unlike most people with the exception of Roger Ebert, enjoyed this movie. Is it absurd? Absolutely, but it's completely entertaining and exciting along the way. It strives to be frightening, visually spectacular, entertaining and even a bit thought provoking. Is life predetermined? Do we have a say in our actions and consequences of those actions? What happens when we die? You may have your doubts, but it sure is a fun ride. Nicolas Cage's performance is frantic and energetic. The film does a great job of coasting along with his feelings, his "shit happens" attitude, his hope to save lives to finding the real answers that await us at the end. I ask you to note the variety of his roles, the comedy and drama in them, the small nuances that set him apart from his peers. Know the truth. Open your eyes to the magic that is Nicolas Cage.

SMG

Elton & Billy Pride : Honda Center Shame

The night has finally arrived. We, the Princes of the Universe, will don our flight suits and decorative stickers to go with our dates to see the great Elton John & Billy Joel. This brings up an important issue.

While in attendance at concerts at the beautiful Honda Center in Anaheim we have repeatedly experienced an unfortunate phenomenon. The crowds are excited about the show, just not thrilled enough to stand and cheer. All of us in the audience paid for tickets to the show. Don't we have the right to rise with pride? Why is it the people sitting down are inconvenienced victims while the people standing up are convicted felons?

This deeply troubles the Princes of the Universe. We know there is a solution, a sort of truce to be had but the patrons of the Honda Center seem unwilling to change their ways.

Shame on them.

Prince BTB & Prince SMG

Bailey Chase

The last thing on my mind was Harrison Ford as I left a screening of the movie Crossing Over tonight. A movie dealing with immigration, family loyalty, tolerance, hate should have me thinking about some current issues. However, one thing continued to play over in my head...who was that border patrolman toward the end of the movie? I had to find out because this guys performance, even though the screen time is limited, is the among the best in the movie. Mr. Ford was doing his thing, sure Ray Liotta was good, Ashley Judd was herself, Cliff Curtis was fantastic as usual but Bailey Chase the border patroleman represented. With the brief time you spend with his character in the film you really feel the mounting frustration immigration brings. The hardships people immigrating here suffer, the lives they dream of having but are taken away so easily, the system trying to keep them out and continuing to amount a large mass of debt for our country, hateful people, is this right, is that right, etc...it is all in Bailey Chase's well executed performance. I'd give Crossing Over 3 out of 4 stars but his is a 4 star performance.
-SMG

One Week

In exactly one week around the time I'm posting this, approximately 6:00pm, myself along with Prince BTB and our dates will be headed to see Elton John in concert. Both Prince BTB and I have had the joyous pleasure of seeing Elton multiple times but this time he will be playing side by side, partially of course, with Billy Joel. I cannot wait to put on our Peace Officer Uniforms and get into character for a memorable evening of fun, music and love. If there is one thing that Elton's music inspires, surely it's love. Love of music. Love of life. Love of tolerance and acceptance and change. Love of people. It's bound to be a blast. My only hope is that all of you put on your favorite Elton John song or album and sing until it brings a smile to your face.

"There's treasure children always seek to find,
And just like us
You must have had
A Once Upon A Time"
-Elton John's "Curtains"

-Prince SMG

Unconcealed Exposure

I have never been much a fan of shopping for clothes. I put zero effort into my fashion style, and my manly credibility suffers as a result. It's not a priority of mine to schedule expeditions for classy garments. Last night, as in many Friday evenings, my only focus was on eating a tasty meal and seeing a movie. That film, ironically, is called "Confessions of a Shopaholic."

Things did not go as planned yesterday. My California Pizza Kitchen dinner was wonderful. Everything blissfully bewildered me afterward. My date and I left C.P.K. to quickly purchase some new recreational shoes for me before hitting the movie theater. In the end, I purchased more than one pair of shoes at DSW. With my female assistant as a guide, my feet fell in love with both a retro pair of New Balance sneakers and also some super cool Converse. I could not deny it. I was hooked and couldn't have cared less about watching a movie. I wanted more, more, more. Next, we rushed to Ross and grabbed me two types of sexy jeans and a third pair of shoes. It's too bad we wasted so much time trying things on. Time had run out and stores were in the process of closing for the night. No matter though. It's a new day now, and I'm on my way out the door to go purchase six crew neck t-shirts from Foreign Exchange...

My name is Bryan Barbour. I am a shopaholic. This has been my confession. -BTB

Oh Happy Day

It's another one of those special Friday's. People go to work. Children head to school. Babies are born. In the midst of all this, some very lucky people will head to see the new Nicolas Cage movie. I cannot review it because I have yet to see it but for me, it's already entertaining. I always cherish the thought of seeing a new film starring the reliably good Nic Cage. "Bangkok Dangerous was supposedly terrible," you say. I was first in line to see it and actually liked it, I respond. No matter where you are. No matter what you do. You cannot avoid the work of the finest actor around, Nicolas Cage.

Knowing is now playing at a theater near you.

------------SMG---------------

Peace Officers and Security @ The Wiltern

Featured in LA Weekly

Super Awesome Lazer Team

May I request all readers of this blog to please immediately support my cousin, Mr. Cory Gilbride. He and his friends strive to land on television with their futuristic tale following a group of renegrade camp counselors. Sadly, Valentine's Day has been banned by the Evil Emperor Cowboy. The Super Awesome Lazer Team daringly strives to restore the love...

Spread the word about the power of this entertaining romp everywere you go. Cory and company need our help. They are seeking over 1,000,000 views to help them land a television deal. The Princes of the Universe are in full support of helping this group reach their artistic goals. Simply click on the title above (Super Awesome Lazer Team) and let's all help my cousin out. - BTB