I'm trying to make icons from one movie and the other is a tv show.

I can't seem to make them not look either grainy or too weird when brightened. Could anyone give me advice?

Here is all I know how to do in Adobe.

Match Color
Levels
Variations
Soft Light
Screen
Overlay
Seletcive Color


Below the cut is the images that have been particularly difficult for me.

( pic help plz? )