With Wonka now playing in theaters and delighting critics, fans of the musical prequel starring Timothée Chalamet and Hugh Grant are already curious about the locales used for the charming cinematic tale. Directed by Paul King of Paddington fame, much of the filming took place in the U.K. and we’ve got the details on each location.
According to Glamour, the majority of Wonka was filmed in Bath, which was transformed into a snowy wonderland for Chalamet’s chocolatier during October 2021. The iconic Colonnades are prominently seen in the film along with Bath Abbey, Parade Gardens, and Orange Grove, which locals will no doubt recognize.
Another significant portion of the film was shot in Oxford at well-known landmarks like the Bodleian Library and the Hertford Bridge a.k.a. the Bridge of Sighs. Glamour reports that production designer Nathan Crowley used the city as a “connective tissue” for Wonka.
Other locations include Lyme Regis where Chalamet’s Wonka is first seen early in the film, St. Albans, Berkshire, and of course, London.
Here’s the official synopsis:
From Paul King, writer/director of the Paddington films, David Heyman, producer of Harry Potter, Gravity, Fantastic Beasts, and Paddington, and producers Alexandra Derbyshire (the Paddington films, Jurassic World: Dominion) and Luke Kelly (Roald Dahl’s The Witches), comes an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor. Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, this irresistibly vivid and inventive big screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time—proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.
We’re deep in eggnog season. The cocktail is the cornerstone of holiday boozing and has been for centuries. And while it’s easy to go to the grocery store and get a pre-made nog from the diary aisle and add your own spirit to get the party started, making an eggnog cocktail at home is super easy. And far more flavorful.
Look, there are a million different recipes to make eggnog out there. A lot of them are valid, especially the batched versions. But sometimes you don’t need an entire gallon of nog. Sometimes you just need a nice cocktail version to get your drink on as the snow falls and the presents pile up. That’s what I’m breaking down below.
The eggnog recipe we’re sharing today is a single-serving version that slaps. Yes, it’s adaptable. I like using a touch of hazelnut syrup in place of plain simple syrup as the sweetener. It adds a nutty depth that good nog needs. I’ve also toyed with peppermint syrup as well, adding a nice sharpness to the drink. Vanilla, gingerbread, or orange syrups are always good options too.
The base always stays the same — egg, cream, brown booze (brandy, whiskey, or rum), and nutmeg. From that base, you can build your eggnog empire — so let’s get shaking!
Also Read: The Top Five Cocktail Recipes of the Last Six Months
All of these ingredients are easily gettable at any grocery store or liquor store. I’m using Knob Creek 9-Year Bourbon as it’s a great mixing whiskey. You can use your favorite dark rum or brandy as well or a mix of all of the above.
I like a little more winter spice in mine, but the ground clove and allspice are 100% optional. You will need that nutmeg for the garnish though, it’s crucial to the overall eggnog vibe.
Zach Johnston
What You’ll Need:
Large rocks glass
Cocktail shaker
Cocktail strainer
Jigger
Zach Johnston
Method:
Fill the rocks glass with fresh ice (I used one large cube).
Add the bourbon, cream, egg, syrup, and pinch of spices to the cocktail shaker.
Add a handful of ice, affix the lid, and shake very vigorously for about 20 seconds. You want to emulsify the egg, cream, and booze and start to froth the egg white. Take a break and shake for another 15 or so seconds.
Remove the lid and strain the cocktail into the waiting glass.
Garnish with a dash of nutmeg and serve.
Bottom Line:
Zach Johnston
There’s something wonderful that happens when you shake this up. That rich and heavy cream gets light and airy thanks to the egg white frothing up. The consistency is much closer to full-fat milk than heavy cream — well, maybe closer to half and half. The point is that this becomes an airy and almost light eggnog that’s freaking delicious and still silky as can be.
The spices come through ever so slightly with a deep nuttiness thanks to the hazelnut. The sweetness is there but not overly so (like so many store-bought nogs). The nutmeg gives the cocktail that iconic eggnog-spiced vibe. It’s vibrant.
Overall, this is a drink that you’re going to fall in love with and start shaking up daily as the end of the year nears. Hell, you may never go back to the store-bought nogs once you taste this and see how easy it is to prep.
It may not be Timothee Chalamet’s mother’s favorite movie, but Wonka is officially in theaters. Or maybe it is her favorite, it’s unclear. Chalamet makes his debut as Willy in Wonka, the prequel which also doubles as a cautionary tale for people who don’t know how to read.
Wonka follows Chalamet as a much younger version of the chocolatier who is aiming to open up his big shop. But, like many small businesses, he is faced with ongoing challenges and eventually befriends a girl named noodle (really) and the two form a nice little bond. There’s also a chocolate cartel but that comes later. The most important part is no doubt a tiny version of Hugh Grant, who reluctantly stars as an Oompa Loompa.
The movie clocks in at 1 hour and 56 minutes, which is just the right amount of time before all of that purple probably starts making you dizzy. It’s also a nice break from all of those 3 hour long movies that have become too common thanks to Maritn Scorsese.
Even though the film is technically a prequel, you don’t have to watch the other movies before heading out to the theater. Director Paul King recently told EW, “What I wanted this movie to be was like a companion piece to that movie. If you imagine those people in that world 25 years earlier, that was my starting process. Eventually, he would grow into that person and that factory.” And eventually, he will learn to read.
This year’s Uproxx Gift Guides are brought to you by Sirius XM. Check out their site to find all the holiday music and content you need to get into the giving spirit.
Your chance to order a gift online is winding down. Many sites have their “drop dead” order day listed as today, the 15th. Others extend as far as the 19th with certain Amazon items available as late as the 22nd. But the fact remains: your time is ticking. Time to pick something special for those special someones.
Assuming that’s your aim — you clicked on a gift guide, after all — Uproxx has you laced up. Check out our run of 2023 guides below:
Today, with your ordering windows waning, we’re running down a list of the best travel and adventure gifts we tested this year. Everything included here has proven up to snuff by our skilled team. We vouch for it and promise that giving one of these gifts will make a big impact on your favorite thru-hikers, vagabonds, adventurers, and explorers.
Priority Current
Priority Bicycles
Price: $3,299
Oh, this bike! What a gift this would be!
I bought mine for myself and I still think of it as a gift. It’s the perfect commuter vehicle and great for urban adventurers, with a belt-drive transmission that rides so much differently than other e-bikes I’ve tested. In many ways, it’s more like a belt-driven exercise bike — with each pedal push creating propulsion and no crunching gears.
I rode this bike to 20 different venues around the state of Oregon for my recent book tour and do you know how many problems I had?
Zero. Not one hitch. Even though I am not the best planner on earth and an “e-bike book tour in Oregon in October” mostly means “getting rained on while riding for 20 days straight.”
Everything about the bike is smooth — from how you shift to how you break to the propulsion itself. Even when you’re tearing along at 20mph without breaking a sweat, it feels like it’s all you because the transmission is so cleanly synced.
I love e-bikes, generally speaking. I own three. But if I was recommending one as a day-in and day-out rider that feels like traditional bike riding but doesn’t require that level of effort and charges rapidly while holding enough charge to traverse large cities… I would highlight this bike every time. It’s awesome, I promise. Let it transport you to cool hiking spots and nearby beaches and beyond!
BUY IT FOR:
The person who fancies themselves as a biker but is just a tad too lazy to ride a push pedal on their wide-ranging urban explorations. They will freaking flip over this bike. Use the discount code HOLIDAY15 for 15% off and delivery before Christmas!
The cooler industry seems bifurcated these days. Either your cooler is built like Fort Knox with giant clamps so that your ice won’t melt for seventeen months or it’s a hipster throwback that incorporates modern insulation improvements. I typically opt for the latter. But that’s mostly because I like the look of the vintage-feeling coolers and don’t love lugging giant fishing coolers around just for a weekend in the woods.
This is the cooler I use and, yes, I use it in part because it looks dope. But also, it’s a great cooler. It locks, it has a bottle opener, and it’s well insulated. The handles never pinch your hands. Sure, opting for metal is a tad heavier than 80s-era plastic coolers, but as Butch Cassidy once said, “That’s a small price to pay for beauty.”
The truth is that storytelling is a part of adventuring and always has been. It’s fun to have a cool-looking cooler and, if we’re being honest, a great vibe is probably more important to most of us than “what can keep things cold the longest.” Though again, this cooler does that too!
BUY IT FOR:
The adventurer who balances style with functionality.
If money permitted, I would buy ten pairs of these. I love them. They’re my dream travel pants because they feature:
Zippered pockets.
Fleece lining at the shins (not at the thighs where it causes friction and leaves you sweaty).
The ability to look buttoned up and casual in a way that few pants can pull off.
One more thing worth mentioning: These are sturdy. I wore them a whole lot on the bike-based book tour mentioned above and I didn’t develop so much as a loose seam. If I were going on a 12-month world trip right now, these are the pants I’d buy.
BUY THEM FOR:
The vagabond who loves the intersection of form and function in their fashion.
I bought this for my lady and then asked her to review it. She texted the following:
Steve Bramucci
That pretty much sums it up. It’s funny how few jackets are cozy these days. I swear that all the brands got Gore-Tex mania and forgot that most adventurers would prefer a jacket that is cozy to one that has 17 different zippers and four strips of reflective fabric sewn in.
I haven’t worn this but I did buy and (horribly) wrap it so I saw the metal zippers and other marks of quality. Plus, I like that Aviator Nation has a subtle logo instead of something obtrusive. And that this sinches at that waist instead of falling loose.
BUY IT FOR:
The adventurer who appreciates the joys of being comfy before, during, and after a big outing.
The reason I love these boots is because of how balanced they are. They’re proper work boots — tough enough to travel around the world in while working odd jobs. But with a few dabs of water and a little rubdown with a washcloth, you can have them looking hotel lobby or restaurant ready.
Apparently, they were created for the “vineyard or the tasting room” and that tracks. Having worn my pair a fair few times, I will tell you that they look even better after some wear, that they’re more comfortable than traditional workboots, and (let’s be honest about our vanity here) they make me stand a full inch taller.
The perfect all-rounder for hiking, tramping, and going out.
BUY THEM FOR:
The person who wants one boot for hiking, working, walking, and looking presentable in public.
You know Beats Studio Pro. They’re the most ubiquitous over-ear headphones on the market. But I don’t see them reviewed often so let’s talk about where they excel:
These have the best battery life of any headphones in their price range (any that I’ve tested up to $500).
The noise cancelling is superb.
The ear cushions are comfortable for long-term use.
The look is sleek and stylish.
They fold exceedingly easily.
Never a brand to sit on its laurels, Beats has improved the distortion and created a spacial audio feature that tracks with the movement of your head. The result? This is the best Beats has ever been and the head of the class at this price point!
BUY THEM FOR:
The long-term vagabond who can appreciate the truly impressive battery life.
First and foremost, I like these glasses because… they look so cool. Style comes first in sunglasses. Period.
You have to have one pair of acetate glasses in your repertoire and while Ray Ban’s are most people’s go-to, I like these better. The wood inlays class them up but they fit the face well and won’t be constantly sliding off your nose. The hinge is ultra-sturdy which is, in truth, the first thing I look for in sunglasses after style.
Not for nothing, but I love the case for these. It’s made out of recycled cardboard but it’s so stiff and sturdy that when you find the case buried in the bottom of your bag you don’t cringe thinking that maybe your glasses are ruined. The fact that I’m from Portland and all the Shwood pairs are named for spots in Oregon is just a happy accident. I would have loved these regardless.
BUY THEM FOR:
The traveler who needs glasses that are sturdy and stylish in equal measure.
If you park in any National Park parking lot, you’ll be lost in a sea of Subaru Outbacks with this exact Thule roof box rigged on top. Why? Because Thule is the Kleenex of roof boxes. At least out in the Pacific Northwest, we don’t even call them roof boxes. We call them Thules.
So what makes a Thule worth having? If you’ve ever been the friend who forgot to call shotgun and got stuck in the backseat with a leaking grocery bag in your lap and a rogue tent pole poking you in the side, you know the stakes of an overly packed car. A roof box is a road trip no-brainer. Because road-tripping and car camping aren’t about roughing it with freeze-dried meals and no pillow. It’s about finding epic places to do epic things with all the toys and comforts to heighten the experience.
And if you’re going to spend hours in a car to find the magic, you might as well be comfortable.
This Thule is generally easy to use, though, like any roof box, you’ll be awkwardly balancing on the backseats to reach everything inside of it. Most importantly, it fits a ton of stuff. 16 cubic feet in volume. That means all your ski gear in the winter. Your camping gear in the summer. All your stuff as you move from apartment to apartment throughout your life. The only downfall is how hard roof boxes are to store, but for the year-round adventurer, it’ll live on top of your car anyway.
— Julianne Sato
BUY IT FOR:
The adventurous sort who loves a good road trip, gear-heavy adventure sports, or a car camping weekend.
If you’ve ever found yourself wrestling with a clunky suitcase while trying to catch a flight or struggling to fit all your essentials into a bag that seems to defy the laws of spatial logic, it might be time to upgrade your travel gear. If so, we have a clear winner: Away Suitcases. We know that Away suitcases have been the luggage darling of the Internet, but I was unconvinced they were worth the hype until I tried them for myself.
Reader, they’re worth the hype.
I travel often, dragging heavy, cloth suitcases my family has had since the 90s all over the world, twisting my wrists and busting open zippers at the most inopportune moments. But I never saw the point of spending money on a nice suitcase. As long as it kept all the contents inside the bag, who needed anything fancier?
But it’s not about a fancy-looking suitcase. Sure, Away suitcases do look stylish, striking the perfect blend of minimal and modern with the beautiful spectrum of trendy colors. But for me, it’s about a suitcase that makes the chaos of travel more convenient.
I especially loved the Bigger Carry On suitcase. The interior design of this suitcase is filled with thoughtful compartments and a compression system to maximize space, so you can get away with not paying for that checked bag when you fly on budget airlines. The hard shells are durable and water-resistant. They’re also extremely lightweight, which we all know matters when you’re getting charged $50 for a bag that’s two pounds overweight.
The best part is how well they move. Away suitcases have 350-degree spinner wheels that make maneuvering through tight spaces or sprinting to catch that connecting flight ever so slightly less stressful. You can pull them like a normal wheeling suitcase, but you can also gently push them and they’ll glide along next to you. If you’re chronically late to the airport, these suitcases are your best bet against missing your flight. — Julianne Sato
BUY IT FOR:
Anyone who travels enough for convenience to matter, Away Suitcases will make your travel life easier.
Nicki Minaj’s latest album, Pink Friday 2, has awakened the inner Barb in users online. With the “Cowgirl” rapper’s forthcoming world tour slated to kick off next year, supporters are trying to memorize the lyrics to the 24 songs and remixes shared on the body of work and Gag City deluxe version.
Today (December 15), the former Barb fan account manager took to his official X (formerly Twitter) to share a tease freestyle he recorded over the ATL Jacob-produced instrumental.
“We gone f*ck that club up / We gone throw some dubs up / If you broke, ain’t got no money, n**** shut the f*ck up / Shout out Miss Onika Tonya, that’s my mama, that’s on God / If you f*cking up the club, hit up Nas Maraj / I am in and in and out of town, ATL underground I stay in the South, been in Houston mo’ than Bobby Brown / F*ck this society, I do things in my way / It’s Onika and Lil Nassy, it’s a Pink-er Friday,” raps Lil Nas X.
Nicki Minaj’s latest album, Pink Friday 2, has awakened the inner Barb in users online. With the “Cowgirl” rapper’s forthcoming world tour slated to kick off next year, supporters are trying to memorize the lyrics to the 24 songs and remixes shared on the body of work and Gag City deluxe version.
Today (December 15), the former Barb fan account manager took to his official X (formerly Twitter) to share a tease freestyle he recorded over the ATL Jacob-produced instrumental.
“We gone f*ck that club up / We gone throw some dubs up / If you broke, ain’t got no money, n**** shut the f*ck up / Shout out Miss Onika Tonya, that’s my mama, that’s on God / If you f*cking up the club, hit up Nas Maraj / I am in and in and out of town, ATL underground I stay in the South, been in Houston mo’ than Bobby Brown / F*ck this society, I do things in my way / It’s Onika and Lil Nassy, it’s a Pink-er Friday,” raps Lil Nas X.
Stranger Things 4 delivered a massive, epic adventure featuring the Hawkins crew (and huge ratings for Netflix) as it set the stage for the show’s next season, the highly anticipated Stranger Things 5. Series creator The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that this will the last installment for Eleven and the gang, so here’s everything we know about the final season that will bring the fan-favorite supernatural show to a close.
Plot
Stranger Things 4 ended with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) shattering the barrier between the real world and the Upside Down, causing cataclysmic destruction to Hawkins. As fiery rifts formed across the town, our heroes stood and watched at the epic showdown that was no counting coming to their doorsteps, literally.
Obviously Stranger Things 5 will deal with the aftermath of Vecna’s destruction, but outside of that, there’s very little details in the way of plot. However, David Harbour did tease that the beloved characters will get a proper sendoff.
“I’m excited to go back. I’m excited to wrap it up in a bold, amazing way,” Harbour told Variety. “I’m excited to really swing with this character, because you know they’re going to pay off these OG characters: Eleven, Hopper, Joyce, Will, Mike. They’re going to pay them off in big ways because they’ve lived with you for the past eight years.”
Cast
As of this writing, all of the original cast members are slated to return for the epic final season. That includes Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin, Noah Schnapp as Will, Natalia Dyer as Nancy, Joe Keery as Steve, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan, Sadie Sink as Max, Maya Hawke as Robin, Winona Ryder as Joyce, and David Harbour as Hopper.
Release Date
With the SAG-AFTRA strike now resolved, Stranger Things 5 is only just picking up production on January 8, 2024, according to Deadline. Unlike other major series and films, the show had not yet started filming and the Duffer Brothers made the call to pull the plug with the dual strikes looming. However, Netflix and the creative team are aggressively making moves to get Stranger Things 5 up and running. Star David Harbour said the production team immediately called him within minutes of the SAG-AFTRA strike ending to get him on a plane as soon as possible.
In the meantime, factoring in the demands for CGI production and editing for the massive final season, the likely release window for Stranger Things 5 is Summer 2025. That said, without an official confirmation from Netflix that timeframe could shift to an earlier release or, and we’re sorry to say this, get pushed back. Fingers crossed it’s not the latter.
Trailer
Considering Stranger Things 5 hasn’t started filming yet, there’s little in the way of promotional materials. A trailer isn’t likely for several months if not a whole year.
The first four Stranger Things are available for streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Stranger Things 4 delivered a massive, epic adventure featuring the Hawkins crew (and huge ratings for Netflix) as it set the stage for the show’s next season, the highly anticipated Stranger Things 5. Series creator The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that this will the last installment for Eleven and the gang, so here’s everything we know about the final season that will bring the fan-favorite supernatural show to a close.
Plot
Stranger Things 4 ended with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) shattering the barrier between the real world and the Upside Down, causing cataclysmic destruction to Hawkins. As fiery rifts formed across the town, our heroes stood and watched at the epic showdown that was no counting coming to their doorsteps, literally.
Obviously Stranger Things 5 will deal with the aftermath of Vecna’s destruction, but outside of that, there’s very little details in the way of plot. However, David Harbour did tease that the beloved characters will get a proper sendoff.
“I’m excited to go back. I’m excited to wrap it up in a bold, amazing way,” Harbour told Variety. “I’m excited to really swing with this character, because you know they’re going to pay off these OG characters: Eleven, Hopper, Joyce, Will, Mike. They’re going to pay them off in big ways because they’ve lived with you for the past eight years.”
Cast
As of this writing, all of the original cast members are slated to return for the epic final season. That includes Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin, Noah Schnapp as Will, Natalia Dyer as Nancy, Joe Keery as Steve, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan, Sadie Sink as Max, Maya Hawke as Robin, Winona Ryder as Joyce, and David Harbour as Hopper.
Release Date
With the SAG-AFTRA strike now resolved, Stranger Things 5 is only just picking up production on January 8, 2024, according to Deadline. Unlike other major series and films, the show had not yet started filming and the Duffer Brothers made the call to pull the plug with the dual strikes looming. However, Netflix and the creative team are aggressively making moves to get Stranger Things 5 up and running. Star David Harbour said the production team immediately called him within minutes of the SAG-AFTRA strike ending to get him on a plane as soon as possible.
In the meantime, factoring in the demands for CGI production and editing for the massive final season, the likely release window for Stranger Things 5 is Summer 2025. That said, without an official confirmation from Netflix that timeframe could shift to an earlier release or, and we’re sorry to say this, get pushed back. Fingers crossed it’s not the latter.
Trailer
Considering Stranger Things 5 hasn’t started filming yet, there’s little in the way of promotional materials. A trailer isn’t likely for several months if not a whole year.
The first four Stranger Things are available for streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Last week, rumors about Selena Gomez, that she is in a relationship with producer Benny Blanco, came to a head when she addressed them herself. In some Instagram comments, she wrote, “He is my absolute everything in my heart” and called him “the best thing that’s ever happened to me” and “better than anyone I’ve ever been with.”
Now, they’ve gone ahead and made it Instagram-official.
Late last night/early this morning (December 15), Gomez posted a gallery captioned, “New York, my favorite moments w you this week [white heart emoji].” Blanco appears in a couple of the photos: One where he hugs her from behind as she’s seated, and a black-and-white snap of them kissing.
Blanco, ever the goofball, commented on the post with a pineapple emoji.
There have been a number of new high-profile relationships to surface in the pop world in 2023. Of course, there’s Gomez pal Taylor Swift (who’s featured in one of the photos from the post above) linking up with NFL star Travis Kelce. More recently, Olivia Rodrigo has been linked with Enola Holmes actor Louis Partridge, after they were spotted making out outside of a gas station earlier this week.
Last week, rumors about Selena Gomez, that she is in a relationship with producer Benny Blanco, came to a head when she addressed them herself. In some Instagram comments, she wrote, “He is my absolute everything in my heart” and called him “the best thing that’s ever happened to me” and “better than anyone I’ve ever been with.”
Now, they’ve gone ahead and made it Instagram-official.
Late last night/early this morning (December 15), Gomez posted a gallery captioned, “New York, my favorite moments w you this week [white heart emoji].” Blanco appears in a couple of the photos: One where he hugs her from behind as she’s seated, and a black-and-white snap of them kissing.
Blanco, ever the goofball, commented on the post with a pineapple emoji.
There have been a number of new high-profile relationships to surface in the pop world in 2023. Of course, there’s Gomez pal Taylor Swift (who’s featured in one of the photos from the post above) linking up with NFL star Travis Kelce. More recently, Olivia Rodrigo has been linked with Enola Holmes actor Louis Partridge, after they were spotted making out outside of a gas station earlier this week.
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