Tired of those boring-ass Photoshopped floating head jobs that flaccid studio marketing departments call posters? So are we, which is why we've singled out the most distinguished, eye-catching promotional pieces to come out this year.

Taking the old-fashioned hand-painted approach always stands out, but sometimes all it takes is using photography in an interesting, innovative way to get some really challenging stories across in a single image.

Here are the absolute best general release or alternate posters of 2012.

Get more Best of 2012 here.

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Oh what a difference a hit movie makes.

After making her feature film debut with Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire" last month, former MMA star Gina Carano has signed on to star in John Stockwell's "In the Blood."

The action thriller follows a husband who disappears while vacationing in the Caribbean with his wife (Carano). But this lady is no damsel in distress — the grieving wife passionately and recklessly pursues the men whom she believes kidnapped and killed him.

Penned by Bennett Yellin and James Robert Johnston, the story is being described as in the vein of "Taken," The Hollywood Reporter reveals. Sounds good to us.

The director explains, "This role will showcase not only Gina's fighting skills, but also her acting abilities as her character struggles to reign in her violent past."

In addition to Carano, 8711, the stunt team responsible for "Haywire"'s killer action sequences, is also in talks to join this go-round. The flick is set to begin principal photography in Puerto Rico as soon as late spring or early summer — which means it shan't be too long before Carano's roundhouse kicks and jaw-shattering punches grace the silver screen again.

Not too shabby for a girl who got her start fighting … in a cage.

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"'True Romance' and 'Braveheart' -- those are two of my favorite movies. What I like about ['True Romance'] is that two people meet each other from different walks of life and believe in each other instantly -- the idea that two people can just have each other's back. And they found each other, and they believed in each other, and they had each other's back without question, without research on the other person, without past relationships getting in the way, and I just completely loved that."

"On top of the fact that I love Patricia Arquette's character in it, and how she’s so feminine and yet she has the coolest fight scene to date that I know of, in that hotel room. And it’s so realistic -- it shows the sh** beat out of her and blood and everything, and it shows how she kind of conquered through that and her spirit was still strong. I just loved her character in it, I really adored her character in it, that she was still so feminine but still so strong. So I just love that movie; I can watch it over and over."

Gina Carano can currently be seen kicking the asses of Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, and Antonio Banderas as the fugitive covert operative Mallory Kane in Steven Soderbergh’s action-packed "Haywire."

Screen Gems

Looking good is one thing. Looking good and kicking ass simultaneously is quite another, as Kate Beckinsale has proved time and time again in the "Underworld" movies. You think wearing that skin-tight leather bodysuit while leaping, running, shooting automatic weapons and beating Lycans to a pulp is easy? Have you ever tried it?

In honor of Beckinsale's newest ass-kicking showcase, "Underworld: Awakening," not to mention former MMA star Gina Carano's buzzed-about turn in "Haywire" -- and just to be sure we don't piss either of them off -- we tip our hats to nine female characters we wouldn't want to cross.

Next to these babes, we'd be toast.

9. Kate Beckinsale, 'Underworld' (2003-2012)

Selene may be a vampire, but she certainly doesn't sparkle in the sunlight. She's a Death Dealer, trained to kick werewolf (or Lycan, as they're known here) booty, and we're not talking about warm and fuzzy Taylor Lautner type. Humans and young vamps are crushed with her super-strength, but she also knows her way around weapons both medieval and modern. Plus, she can leap from really high buildings and hold her breath under water a crazy long time.

8. Uma Thurman, 'Kill Bill' (2003-2004)

The Bride was already an elite assassin before she got pregnant with Bill's baby and he ordered her fellow assassins to kill her and the rest of the guests at her wedding. Now she's a woman seeking vengeance and a sword she ordered specially made to "kill people." If that's not enough, she's a master at Pai Mei's deadly Five-Point Exploding Heart Technique.

7. Chloe Moretz, 'Kick-Ass' (2010)

Lionsgate

Hit-Girl may look small, sweet and innocent, but don't let that fool you. She packs some major heat and a whole lotta moxie. She's also smart enough to wear a bullet-proof vest and clutch when her loved ones are in a pickle.

6. Carrie-Anne Moss, 'The Matrix' (1999-2003)

Trinity may know her way around computers, but she's also an ace at martial arts and can download just about any piece of knowledge she may need, from how to fly a helicopter to how to operate a firearm. More importantly, her kiss has the power to bring sleeping beauty Keanu Reeves back to life. Now that's dangerous.

5. Sigourney Weaver, 'Alien' (1979-1997)

Ellen Ripley protects human life, but, unless you're human, stay away. Not only will she unleash her sharp tongue ("Get away from her, you bitch!"), but she carries a big gun. A really big gun. As for what her appearance did to gender stereotypes when she made her debut in 1979, let's just say Angelina may owe Sigourney Weaver a thank you note.

4. Linda Hamilton, 'Terminator' (1984-1991)

Lionsgate

Sarah Connor became a warrior 10 years after she was visited by the father of her child (from the future). Of course, her training took some wrong turns seeing as she was deemed criminally insane and tossed into a mental hospital. We all know determination + crazy = watch out!

3. Michelle Yeoh, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000)

Yu Shu Lien would lead you to a most graceful death. She may look and move like a dancer, but, using the air, her wits and her ability to surprise, this warrior presents a fierce challenge to even her youngest enemies. Like many of her kick-ass comrades, she also as the power of true love fueling her fire.

2. Milla Jovovich, 'Resident Evil' (2002-2010)

Alice has suffered amnesia and Just. Won't. Die. As she continues to do battle with zombie-like creatures and the Umbrella Corporation, she gets tougher and tougher, becoming a bioweapon, developing telekinesis so strong she can kill with a single glance. She may finally take out those evil bastards once and for all in the next installment.

1. Angelina Jolie, Just About Everything (1995-2010)

Columbia

From Evelyn "Salt" and "Tomb Raider" Lara Croft to Jane "Mrs. Smith" and Fox ("Wanted"), the list of Angelina actioners goes on ... Seriously, we do not want to mess with her, not under any circumstance. Whether she's wearing blood in real life or drawing it on screen, we admit – we're scared ... and deeply awed.

Originally published March 21, 2011.

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If you thought Uma Thurman killed it as The Bride in "Kill Bill," just wait till you get a load of MMA superstar Gina Carano in "Haywire" (out this Friday).

In the Steven Soderbergh ("Contagion")-directed spy thriller, Carano plays Mallory Kane, a freelance covert operative, who gets double-crossed by her employer and sets out to clear her name.

As a first-timer, Carano turns in a surprisingly stellar performance. What she hits out of the ballpark, though, are the film's many action sequences, where Carano -- who did all her own stunts -- gets to let loose and do what does best: fight.

In honor of Carano's ass-kicking in "Haywire," we've rounded up the top nine actors who perform their own stunts. Some might surprise you.

Also Check Out: "Haywire" Star Gina Carano on Beating Up Famous Actors

Tom Cruise

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Is there anything Tom Cruise won't do? If his latest hit "Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol" is anything to go by, that'd be a no. Cruise, who single-handedly made the "Mission Impossible" movies must-sees because of his insane stunt work, took his risk-taking to new heights when he scaled the tallest building in the world -- the Burj Khalifa in Dubai -- for his latest mission. The scene is among the most nerve-racking action set pieces committed to celluloid. How Cruise got Katie Holmes to be okay with the whole idea, we'll never know.

Zoe Bell

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If you think that Uma Thurman did her own stonework as The Bride in the "Kill Bill" films, think again. Thurman has New Zealand stuntwoman Zoe Bell to thank for the craziest feats her character accomplishes in the Quentin Tarantino action flicks. Tarantino wasn't intent on messing around with his grindhouse homage "Death Proof," so he cast Bell in a speaking part and let her perform her own stunts. The payoff is extraordinary. Watching Bell cling for dear life to the hood of a speeding Dodge Charger during the film's climax is enough to make you give up driving altogether.

Jackie Chan

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Jackie Chan, our generation's answer to Buster Keaton, has long been regarded as one of the world's most talented stuntmen, and for good reason -- he holds the Guiness World Record for most stunts performed by a living actor. Lucky for us, he's also a talented comic actor who can out-funny his "Rush Hour" costar Chris Tucker. Now that's what we call talent.

Angelina Jolie

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There's a reason Angelina Jolie has emerged as our generation's most sought-after action heroine. The girl can kick some ass, for real: Jolie has been known to do the majority of her own stunt work in her action fare. Whether walking on a narrow ledge atop a 12-story building in "Salt" or leaning precariously out of a car window while shooting a rifle in "Wanted," Jolie is the real deal. Don't let her looks fool you.

Christian Bale

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Stunts don't only involve guns, leaps and fists -- especially if your name is Christian Bale. The "Dark Knight" star put his life in danger when he reduced himself to 121 pounds for his role in "The Machinist." He then bulked up to play Bruce Wayne in his first stab at the Batman franchise, but dwindled himself down again to appear convincingly starved in "Rescue Dawn." Yo-yo-ing like that is a death-defying stunt, even if you're Batman.

Viggo Mortensen

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Viggo Mortensen looks rugged in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but it turns out he actually is in real life. As Aragorn, the most physical of the Tolkein crew, Mortensen performed all of his own stunts. It's even rumored that the actor carried a real steel sword instead of a fake one to lend more realism to his acting during the fight sequences. We're not sure how the actors facing off against him in the fight scenes felt about that, but no matter. Whatever he did worked.

Jason Statham

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Not everyone knows it, but before taking up acting, Jason Statham was an Olympic diver for the British National Diving Team. Maybe that accounts for his killer physique, and for the fact that he insists on doing the majority of his own stunts in his films. That not only involves combat, but driving. If the "Transporter" series is anything to go by, the man's a maniac behind the wheel. And that's just the way we love him.

Matt Damon

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It's fair to say a lot of people were surprised when Matt Damon showed off some real fighting chops in the first "Bourne Identity" movie. Who knew the clean-cut, Oscar-winning boy from "Good Will Hunting" could so effectively cut it as an action hero? For the initial trilogy, Damon did tons of near-death defying work, including shooting multiple scenes in water and driving really fast.

Daniel Craig

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We have a feeling that if Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig were to square off against each other, Craig would come out on top. Brosnan was suave as Bond, but Craig is the better fighter, if the last two Bond movies are anything to go by. He's been known to enjoy getting dirty, and it shows. Whether fending off foes on a roof or barreling along at top speeds in a sports car, Craig is one to put his life at risk for the money shot.

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In an already narrow playing field of female actors who play characters as tough as their male counterparts, Gina Carano is just about the only one who’s tougher than most of them. In Steven Soderbergh's new film "Haywire," the former mixed martial arts star not only holds her own against the acting talents of Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor and Antonio Banderas (among others), but she also convincingly beats them all to a bloody pulp.

Carano plays Mallory Kane, a freelance operative who must fight her way to freedom after she’s betrayed by the people who hired her. Conversely, Carano indicated that the experience of shooting her first film was a great collaborative experience. She recently explained to us how her previous career has helped guide her through a whole new one.

I understand that you have a background in fighting, or something? No, I’m only kidding.
[laughs] I’m like, uh-oh, he’s got a lot to hear right now.

No, I definitely know about your history. But how much, beyond her physicality, did you identify with the character when you agreed to play her? Was she easy to tap into emotionally?
I think it was Aaron Cohen that Steven Soderbergh put me with, who’s an ex-Mossad. I read his book, I spent about three hours a day with him for seven weeks, and I was not only training in boot camp getting yelled at by him, but also hearing his stories and spending time -- and seeing that war changes people. And this is a lifestyle that he is going to be this way for the rest of his life, and so I think it was really a way to get into Mallory Kane’s character.

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Could you relate to her being a strong women in a male-dominated world? Was that relevant to your experiences as an MMA fighter?
Oh yeah, absolutely -- I mean, my whole career has been that. I’ve been called pet projects in my fights, and singled out as a female, and so I definitely found a lot of relatability. And I’ve been around men my whole life, so putting me in a film full of them doesn’t really bother me.

Did you find that your physical capabilities assuaged other people’s concerns about what you were being asked to do, even if it was different from what you’d previously done?
Well, I think that after fighting in front of thousands of people and having a camera on you, representing yourself all of those times, it’s kind of refreshing to play a different character ... You could get into this character not having to represent yourself as Gina Carano, but as Mallory Kane, and also get to do multiple takes, whereas in fighting you just kind of show up and you only get one take for that. So I found that the adrenaline level was the same, and being able to get that high off of doing something amazing and different and unique, that kind of artistic output of acting and stunt acting, was just as exciting as when I got my adrenaline fix in real fighting.

Also Check Out: Gina Carano Trusts No One in Exclusive "Haywire" TV Spot

Was there any physical challenge that even with all of your physical preparation was still really intimidating?
Yeah, I was afraid of heights when I first started this film, and they’ve got me jumping from rooftop to rooftop in Dublin, which was really funny. I remember looking down, and I had to jump from one rooftop to the other, and there was only a board for safety -- there were no wires or anything. I was like, oh my God, this is how Hollywood does this? I’m like, I can’t believe this. And I’m afraid of heights, so what if I trip, or if I make any type of stupid, nervous breakdown moment, I am done for. So I really had to get past that, because my whole reason for getting hired on this was my physicality and doing my own stunts and everything ... But once I walked across it once very slowly, I was walking across it fast, and then I was leaping and then I was doing it on my own, and then I got completely used to it and had some fun with it and got a thrill out of it more than being afraid of it.

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Channing Tatum described Steven Soderbergh as a director who hires people he trusts, and then gets out of their way and lets them do their job on set. How collaborative was he with you on the film, and how much did he let you figure out how to play scenes?
Well, with the action scenes, of course, he gave me full rein ... But when it came to the acting scenes, I felt like he tightened up the reins a little bit and was definitely giving me the right way to experience a film firsthand as a first experience. So there wasn’t a whole lot of play going on there; it was more he told me what he wanted out of my character, and I performed it and gave that to him, and that kept it very simple and kept it very basic and straight to the point. And I think for a first-time acting experience, it’s not too bad, and I think that was probably very smart.

What do you think of Hollywood’s portrayal of the MMA world? Did you see "Warrior," for example? It seemed like the most complimentary portrayal of that world I’ve seen in a movie.
I think it’s really hard for some reason to authentically portray a fight movie on film. I’ve got so many friends who just beat the sh** out each other daily that I’m like, just put them in the damn film and they’ll beat the sh** out of each other -- and it will be real [laughs] ... I was in and out when I was watching "Warrior" -- I had ADD that day, but my guy friend was sitting there the whole time watching it -- and I thought it was really interesting because I thought those actors did a really good job. You could tell that they trained and got in shape for it, and really tried to learn some technique for it, and you’re right, to date that is the best representation of the fight world.

But I also think we can do better. I’d actually love to do a fight movie, and do all of the action stuff for it, I mean, do it all for real. But it was a good story and it’s cool to see the reaction that story actually had on people because it was really touching. I remember I came back in and the guy that was watching it with me was in tears, and I’m like, wow -- this is really having an impact on you! So I need to sit down and watch it again, but as far as I know, it’s a great movie and it touches people.

Relativity Media

What are your thoughts about the way strong women are portrayed in movies now? It seems like there’s a real dichotomy -- they’re either totally invulnerable, or they’re totally feminine.
I think for me, I’m more drawn to, instead of a woman trying to conquer and be a man in a man’s world, I’m more fascinated with a woman being completely female and coming through as a strong female -- and still being completely female. That’s really something I’m kind of drawn to, when I see female action stars.

I heard there’s a rumor you might have a role lined up in the next "Percy Jackson" film.
We haven’t specifically talked about the "Percy Jackson" movie; I know that’s a rumor on the IMDB, but I haven’t heard anything about that, so I think that is just a rumor. But we are starting to get some interesting phone calls and we have some interesting ideas that we’re bringing to the table, so I think a lot of people are waiting for the movie ["Haywire"] to come out on January 20th, and then we'll see the lay of the land on the other side of that and really get a feel for where we’re at after that.

Also Check Out: This Steven Soderbergh Giveaway Is Totally "Haywire"

What has been sort the most intimidating moment in this process? Is it waiting for the film to open, or was it something else like getting on set for the first time?
I think the most nerve-wracking moment was the first day of filming, and realizing, oh my gosh, this is happening, I’m in Dublin, and this movie is going to have to happen. It just got real for a second. There’s no running away from it now; you’re here, and I didn’t even know if I could do it at that point -- I’d never done anything like that before. So I think that once I started getting into my groove and be vulnerable as an actress, and started learning from the actors and directors that I was surrounded with, it really started going. But I’m not going to lie and say I wasn’t completely [scared]; I had a real moment of do or die, fight or flight type of [feeling], and so I just really pushed through it. And I know that since I got through this whole experience, and I’m still getting through it, it’s definitely made me a stronger person.

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Steven Soderbergh's brand new high octane spy thriller "Haywire" is set to arrive in theaters on Jan. 20 and, just in case you've somehow forgotten why you should be totally jazzed for it, we've prepared a helpful reminder for you — and it involves free copies of both "Ocean's Eleven" and "Traffic" on DVD.

Now is that reason enough to go "Haywire," or what?

Here's the quick scoop on "Haywire" for you: Former professional mixed martial arts warrior Gina Carano — yes, a lady MMA superstar — headlines as an ass kicking femme fatale who is suddenly and inexplicably sold out by the government, as personified by the always awesome Ewan McGregor.

So what do you do when Obi-Wan Kenobi stabs you in the back? You go on a quest for both answers and vengeance, of course.

And since that quest is directed by Soderbergh, you know it's not only going to be entertaining, it's going to be stylish as all heck — almost as stylish as, say, the "Haywire" t-shirt, poster and wrist band we're going to throw in along with those "Ocean's Eleven" and "Traffic" DVDs. All you have to do is enter our giveaway ... and be cool.

Soderbergh and "Haywire" wouldn't have it any other way.

One Grand Prize Winner Will Receive:
• "Ocean's Eleven" DVD
• "Traffic" DVD
• "Haywire" T-Shirt
• "Haywire" Rubber Bracelet
• "Haywire" Mini-Poster

To enter, just shoot us an email at NextMovie@MTV.com and include your name, address, birthdate and be sure to copy and paste the following statement:

"By sending this email, I accept and agree to: (1) the Official Rules of the 'Haywire' Giveaway and (2) MTV Networks’, a division of Viacom International Inc., Nextmovie.com Terms of Use and Privacy Policy."

The contest runs from now until 2 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. Entrants must be at least 13 years old and reside in the U.S. Click here for complete rules and further details.

As an added bonus, all entrants will be signed up for the fun and useful UpNext newsletter. As an UpNext subscriber, you'll receive daily updates on the hottest releases, events and merch from the world of movies.

There are two sides to Steven Soderbergh. There's his thinky, intellectual "cinema" side ("The Girlfriend Experience," "Che"), and there's his commercial, star-driven movies side (the "Ocean's" films, "Contagion").

His new spy thriller "Haywire" fits into the second category, with two exceptions: 1) It stars a relative unknown in Gina Carano, a former MMA fighter acting in her first lead film role, and 2) as fun as the "Ocean's" movies are, we've never known a Soderbergh movie to look like it kicks this much ass.

Carano plays an operative hired by governments to do their dirty work for them, until she's double-crossed and has to figure out whom she can trust ... and who deserves her wrath. A glittering supporting cast (Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas and Bill Paxton, to name a few) will be along either to help her or get the hell out of her way. Check out the action in this exclusive TV spot; "Haywire" opens in theaters January 20.

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Steven Soderbergh is starting to bear a striking resemblance to the Energizer bunny — this guy just keeps going.

With not one, but two features out in the next six months ("Haywire" on Jan. 20 and "Magic Mike" on June 27), the director du jour is already locking down an all-star cast for his next flick "The Side Effects."

Penned by Soderbergh's frequent collaborator Scott Z. Burns (the scribe behind "The Informant!" and "Contagion"), this psychological thriller will star Blake Lively, Channing Tatum and Jude Law. Umm… is it hot in here or is it us?

According to The Playlist, Lively will play Emily Hawkins, a woman who turns to prescription drugs to self-medicate the anxiety she faces as her husband's release date from prison nears. Tatum, who appears in both of Soderbergh's films out this year, makes it three for three with his role of Lively's (temporarily) incarcerated hubby. Law, who befriended the director as a cast member of "Contagion," will take on the role of Lively's new psychiatrist. Which almost guarantees Lively will be draped across his bed couch at some point.

Though the castings aren’t official just yet, they should be soon, which is a good thing because lensing is set for April to hit a 2013 release. And even though this plot doesn't call for a bunch of beefcakes twirling around a stripper pole, we're excited just the same.

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When Steven Soderbergh set out to direct "Haywire" he was a man on a mission, and that mission was to make Jason Bourne look about as dangerous as Strawberry Shortcake.

Mission accomplished? You tell us…

Mere hours after being presented to hoots and hollers from the Comic-Con crowd, you can now see the trailer for Soderbergh's action-thriller courtesy of YouTube. The movie stars real-life MMA fighter Gina Carano as Mallory Kane, a private covert op who's being double-crossed by her own agency and has to take matters into her own hands.

That may sound pretty formula, but once you see what Carano's hands can do you'll no doubt understand the level of brutal realism the filmmakers and their freshman star are bringing to the table.

According to reports from the "Haywire" panel (via ComingSoon), there are no stuntmen, so that's really Michael Fassbender getting his ribs punched by an actress who normally beats people up for a living. As you might expect there were a few "owies" on set, including Fassbender getting hit in the face with a vase.

"I've never done fights like this before. It's gotta be real," said Soderbergh. "The fights are shorter than you're used to seeing because once someone gets the drop on the other, it's over."

The film is written by Lem Dobbs, who also co-wrote Soderbergh's "Kafka" and "The Limey." You can check out the full star-studded trailer below, which includes Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton, and Channing Tatum getting a face full of pure, 100 percent Carano.