The (mis)adventures of Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, and Shoshanna continue when the critically acclaimed HBO series Girls from creator/executive producer/writer/star Lena Dunham returns for its second season tonight (1/13) at 9PM. The season 2 poster features Dunham up-close-and-personal with the perfect tagline “Almost getting it kind of together.” In an interview with EW Dumham said, “If you loved what we were doing last season, then we’re speaking right to you. If you hated it, then I’m afraid things aren’t going to change.”

After the break, get a taste of what’s in store and watch two trailers containing new material from the upcoming season. There you’ll also find a “Girls on Guys” featurette, or a primped Dunham conducting a fun conversation with Girls guys Adam Driver, Alex Karpovsky, Christopher Abbott, and Andrew Rannells (who is performing double duty this year working on this show and Ryan Murphy’s The New Normal).
(Click here for more…)

Though the first movie in the Hobbit trilogy hasn’t even come out yet, it already feels like we’ve been on one unexpected and wild journey. Since April 2011, director Peter Jackson periodically dropped production video blogs that brought Lord of the Rings fans behind-the-scenes on the making of his next foray into Middle Earth. Each one explores a different aspect of filmmaking–from the logistics of location shooting to lessons in shooting in 3D–that culminates in an inside look at the grueling yet rewarding post-production process. Taken as a whole, the nine vlogs show just how much effort and sheer amount of hard work went into the making of the Hobbit movies.

And with just a few days until The Hobbit lands in theatres in the States, Mr. Jackson was able to slip one more massive video into our hands. A new 13-minute featurette, embedded above, takes us behind the scenes one more time before the adventure begins. In addition to Jackson you’ll hear from many of the actors, producers, and other creatives behind the making of the film. You’ll also be introduced to new characters, get a better sense of the story, and witness colorful concept art and new footage.

Return to Middle Earth this Friday, December 14 when The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey makes its grand debut.

It’s not an epic trailer, but here is our first look into the next season of Game of Thrones. The two minute clip takes you behind-the-scenes of production on the third season of HBO’s fantasy series based on a series of books by George R.R. Martin. In it you’ll hear from the series showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, as well as some of the cast including Richard Madden (Robb), Maisie Williams (Arya), and Emlia Clarke (Daenerys). Peter Dinklage also makes a brief appearance and you get to see how Tyrion’s permanent scar looks. With new locations, characters, and an upgraded wardrobe being introduced next year, the upcoming season of Thrones “is the season [we've] been anticipating from the very beginning,” says Benioff. Clarke will get your blood pumping with her closing remarks: “The game’s been upped. There’s so much more danger. There’s so much more risk.”

Game of Thrones returns March 31, 2013.

In just over a week the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy hits theatres. To catch up on Bruce Wayne’s story thus far and get a glimpse into where the upcoming movie will take the character, watch this 13-minute featurette featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and plot and character insight from the stars, producers, and special department heads. You’ll hear from director Chris Nolan, stars Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Michael Cane, Morgan Freeman, Marion Cotillard, producers, Emma Thomas, Jordan Goldberg, Kevin De La Noy, screenwriter Jonathan Nolan, production designer Nathan Crowley, special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, director of photography Wally Pfister, stunt coordinator Tom Struthers, and visual effects supervisor Paul Franklin.

“What we’re constructing here is a very, very elemental conflict between good and evil,” Nolan says of his final venture into the world of Gotham City. “Every great story deserves a great ending, and we’re really trying to be true to that.”

All in all this flashy clip doesn’t include any major spoilers, so it’s safe to watch before seeing the movie. Unless of course you want to go into this thing having watched none of the previously released trailers and casting scoops.

Other things you can do to help carry the time: the official movie website has been updated with a new synopsis and additional cast and crew information; and you can stream the entire 15-track soundtrack from trilogy composer Hans Zimmer at Empire. Also, after the break you’ll find a brief recorded interview with Nolan courtesy of Nightline and a very funny parody clip from Above Average featuring Batman, Bane, and 60′s Robin.

The Dark Knight Rises hits theatres July 20. (Click here for more…)

HBO has put together an extensive featurette that serves as a refresher course for potential and returning fans of the cable network’s highly rated fantasy series Game of Thrones. The video titled “You Win or You Die”, which clocks in at just over 22 minutes, tells the grand tale that was Thrones season 1 and it even journeys into season 2 territory to whet the appetite for those who just can’t wait any longer. Thankfully, this meaty overview and teaser should subside eager fans’ eager collective longing for Westeros. In the featurette you’ll hear from series showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, as well as many of the actors including a naturally brunette (and still stunning) Emilia Clarke who plays Daenerys.

Game of Thrones returns in one week: April 1 at 9PM on HBO.

Go behind the scenes with the creators and cast of ABC’s The River before tuning into tonight’s series premiere. Creator Oren Peli, executive producers Michael Green and Zack Estrin, and stars Joe Anderson, Leslie Hope, Bruce Greenwood, and Paul Blackthorne do a fine job at hyping the show and gearing audiences for an “intense” and “scary” journey along the Amazon River in search of Greenwood’s character Emmett Cole. Peli says the network allowed him “to go as scary as [he wanted]” so you have been warned. Mash play and introduce yourself to the ensemble cast, the pedigree, and the intriguing story behind The River. Lost fans, with faint whispers and booming intangible mystical monsters lurking in the night, you should feel right at home. For the rest of you, let this extended trailer be a litmus test. If you are fully engaged the premiere is a must-see; if you are shrieking in terror throughout fiddling with the volume perhaps this isn’t quite your cup of tea. But even if you do fall into that latter category, give the pilot a shot and allow your imagination to run free…and terrified.

The River premieres tonight at 9PM on ABC.

We’ve already been privy to two explosive trailers for Marvel’s upcoming superhero flick Captain America: The First Avenger. Well, now here’s one more video for you to ogle before Cap comes to theatres on July 22. In this ”Meet Captain America” featurette you’ll see flashes of new footage from the movie and get some insight into the making of it from director Joe Johnston and actors Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell.

In an attempt to remind the Oscar voters about the summer blockbuster that was Inception, Warner Bros. is pushing out this mini featurette to theatres and online outlets.  Christoper Nolan’s script and direction and Leonardo DiCaprio’s stellar emotional performance should not be overlooked by more recent contenders found in The Social Network and Black Swan.  Watch the featurette above and remind yourself how amazing the film really is, and let’s hope the voters feel the same way.  No big nominations for Inception would be a total disgrace.

[Via Deadline]

Go behind the scenes of the upcoming season of 24 in this short, action packed featurette.  Jack Bauer’s eighth day of intensity begins January 17 in a 2 night, 4 hour event on FOX.

[Via IGN]