The Culture Quest Essentials Guide

The CQEG is a way for our humble adventurers to collect the best experiences from the quest into a single place. At the end of each step of our quest, we vote whether or not the main subject of that episode deserves to be mentioned in the CQEG. The vote has to be unanimously positive.

And so, the CQEG consists of pieces of art that we consider to be above the others. If you're looking to enjoy what we consider the best of the best, or you're looking for a starting place for your very own quest, this guide has the information you need.

The Guide was first introduced in episode 23, and is still growing with each episode that we record.

CQEG Archives

Jurassic Park - Steven Spielberg

23 - Parks and Re-creation - Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg

Category: Movie.

IMDb

This movie is a major classic, and we had a lot of fun watching it. We loved the characters and the themes, and we think that the 'Welcome to Jurassic Park' scene is one of the best scenes in a movie, maybe ever.

Jurassic Park was the first inductee to the CQEG, as the CQEG was first introduced in the JP Episode.

Jaws - Steven Spielberg

04 - Selachophobics Anonymous - Jaws, Steven Spielberg

Category: Movie.

IMDb

With the induction of Jaws into the CQEG, Steven Spielberg becomes the first person two appear twice in the CQEG.

We were surprised at how much we enjoyed this movie and how well it held up after all these years. The way that this movie mixes the tension and thrill with an adventurous, fun soundtrack makes it a very special experience.

Inducted in episode 24 - CQEG Special

American Beauty - Sam Mendes

06 - How Close is Close Enough - American Beauty by Sam Mendes

Category: Movie.

IMDb

While many felt that this movie was full of itself when it was released, and many still tend to think that this movie is outdated today, we felt that it was a great experience. The movie explores themes that still feel relevant to us, and the storytelling is masterful.

Inducted in episode 24 - CQEG Special

Last Chance to See - Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine

11 - Sadder and Better Informed - Last Chance to See, Douglas Adams

Category: Book.

Goodreads

This book represents a weird mixture between the sad and troubling state of the world and the wildly funny writing style of Douglas Adams - a mixture that ends up working really well, in one of our favorite books. The book points out a lot of the things that we, as a species, are doing wrong, and it was written by maybe the only person that can make a book like this really fun and easy to read.

Inducted in episode 24 - CQEG Special

Firefly and Serenity

18 - They Took Our Sky - Firefly and Serenity

Categories: TV Show, Movie.

IMDb & IMDb

Cowboys in outer space! A perfect combination of an old-timey kind of feel with a bunch of sophistication and personality. Add to that the fact that the show comes with the sad story of being cancelled half-way through the first season. We're lucky that we also got a movie, so that the story could at least be finished.

Inducted in episode 24 - CQEG Special

Queen - Live at Wembley

20 - Four Aging Queens - Queen, Live at Wembley Stadium

Category: Live Album.

Allmusic

An amazing, almost 2-hours long, live performance of one of the most charismatic and talented bands ever. We had some qualms about the setlist at first, but we were proven wrong. And this live show becomes even more endearing when you learn that it's Queen's second to last live show with the original line-up intact.

Inducted in episode 24 - CQEG Special

Cowboy Bebop

25 - Pass the Eggs - Cowboy Bebop

Category: Anime TV Show.

IMDb

Something about Cowboy Bebop really touched us. The deep characters and the way it presents its philosophy make this show have a strong atmosphere. We felt that anyone who gives this a fair chance and sticks with it or a few episodes will end up loving it. We recommend taking the time between each episodes and letting everything sink in.

Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk

29 - I am Jack's Creative Outlet - Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk

Category: Book.

Goodreads

Crowned as the Culture Quest's Year 1 MVP, in episode 31.

We all know Fight Club, the movie. It's probably one of the most popular movies of the last few decades. What if we told you that the book its based on is deeper, darker, more convincing and just better? Also, it's not that long and it's an easy read.

Forrest Gump - Robert Zemeckis

30 - Be the Feather - Forrest Gump

Category: Movie.

IMDb

One of the most loved films of all times. It hit us right in the feels and made us connect with ourselves. If any movie ever made us want to be better people, it would be Forrest Gump.

The Muppet Movie

38 - Consistently Chuckle-Inducing - The Muppet Movie

Category: Movie.

IMDb

We expected a kids' movie with maybe a few cute jokes. We were surprised to find out that it's much more than that. A classic road-trip musical that tells a fun, inspiring, heartwarming story with a bunch of charming jokes, characters and songs. This movie has a lot more to offer than it seems, don't skip it just because the stars are all puppets!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

41 - A Long, Slow Walk in the Park - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Category: Movie.

IMDb

We didn't know what we were getting into with this movie - we expected a primitive, short movie and ended up watching an exciting, moving odyssey which became one of our favorite movies. Some of us humble adventurers think that it's wise to know what you're getting into with this movie, that you should come prepared and well-rested. Nevertheless, don't let the age and genre of the movie fool you, this is a classic for a reason.

Watchmen

44 - I'm on Mars and This is Deep - Watchmen

Category: Comic book.

Goodreads

The Watchmen comic series has so much to offer - amazing storytelling, a diverse set of characters and a mesmerising setting and atmosphere. We all liked different characters, different moments and we disagreed on a fair amount of things, but we all agreed that if someone said they'd only give comics, as a medium, one chance, this would be the book we'de recommend to them.

Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

47 - Lovely We Aren't - Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life

Category: Music Album.

Allmusic

Crowned as the Culture Quest's Year 2 MVP, in episode 58.

Even before we realized that Stevie Wonder tried to encapsulate life as a whole within this album, even without diving too deeply into the meaning of the songs, we could feel that this is an important album. And still, it wasn't until we discussed this album and broke it down together that we realized how much it meant to us. There really is something for everyone in this album, and when you find the songs that are 'for you', you will love them.

Billy Elliot

52 - Michael's Puppet Show - Billy Elliot

Category: Movie.

IMDb

Billy Elliot feels like a small and simple experience at first, but it has a lot of layers to it, as it has a lot to say. It's greatest strengths are the charming characters and gripping acting - we fell in love with all of the characters and we felt like we were going through the story right alongside of them. This movie will stay with you, and it feels closer and stronger with every watch. We're not crying, you're crying. Shut up.

Paranoid - Black Sabbath

53 - Well Within our Comfort Zones - Black Sabbath's Paranoid

Category: Music Album.

Allmusic

Choosing this album was the least adventurous choice we've made on our quest, and yet it paid off. We knew we would enjoy this album, we didn't know we would fall in love with. It's more approachable than it may appear, and we feel like it could appeal to everyone with a bit of an open mind, because this album really has a magical and enchanting (though dark and gloomy) quality to it.

Also, we could stare at the album cover for the entire duration of the album - this just might be the best worst cover art we've ever seen.

Citizen Kane

56 - Late to the Party - Citizen Kane

Category: Movie.

IMDb

We were worried we would not be able to understand why so many people have called this movie one of the greatet, having watched this movie as it turned 80. We were wrong. From the first moment this movie is fast-paced, elegant, captivating and charming. Add to that all of the influence that this movie had on the industry, and the interesting story of its making, and it's easy to see why it's a classic.

When Harry Met Sally

62 - Just Another Love Story - When Harry Met Sally

Category: Movie.

IMDb

We love movies with smart, elegant dialogues. We love movies with great characters. When a movie does both of those and tells a story that has more to do about the characters than everything surrounding them and manages to still feel fresh and unique even 30 years after it's been released, we consider it to be a very special movie.

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