Content Blocks

Hi all,

Kind of stumped here.

Look at this site:

http://demo.arrastheme.com/

and this one

http://swiftthemes.com/category/wordpress-themes/free-themes/swift/

Do you see the “squares” with the thumbnails for posts?

Here is another version of what I mean the “video filter” essentially just posts.

http://www.nikonfestival.com/

or this:

http://www2.macleans.ca/

Under the header Macleans Exclusives

How is this be done? A plugin? Will I have to pull it hack part of these templates? If not where do I create these boxes and how?

Thank You all in advance
George