As the year in cinema is a little more than halfway through, there have been, believe it or not, plenty of great (or at least good) movies, performances, and individual achievements in movies.  So I have decided to start occasionally posting a tracker of the best in film in 2011, which I will continue to do until the end of the year, and then probably for a month or so after as well, as I catch up on the late 2011 films in the early days of 2012.  I will be reposting the tracker whenever I catch a notable movie that will provide me with any notable updates regarding the best of the year.  Now is a good time for me to start with the tracker, as I saw The Help last week, which featured about a dozen memorable performances.  The supporting actress category is already overflowing, and unfortunately, awards shows will not have enough room to recognize all of the ladies of The Help.

In each category, honorees are listed in order of most deserving first.

Best Film
I very much enjoyed X-Men: First Class, The Tree of Life, and The Help, but I’d like some time to re-evaluate them to see if they are truly among the best of the year.
Bridesmaids
Midnight in Paris

Director
Bridesmaids struck me as an accomplishment more of writing and performing than directing, but I’ve got to assume that Paul Feig did something worthwhile.
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life
Paul Feig, Bridesmaids

Lead Actor
Brad Pitt, The Tree of Life
James McAvoy, X-Men: First Class
Michael Fassbender, X-Men: First Class

Lead Actress
Viola Davis, The Help
Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
Emma Stone, The Help
Saoirse Ronan, Hanna

Supporting Actor
Corey Stoll, Midnight in Paris
Kevin Bacon, X-Men: First Class
Bruno Ganz, Unknown
Peter Sarsgaard, Green Lantern

Supporting Actress
Isn’t that new It Girl Jessica Chastain just cute as a button?
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Bryce Dallas Howard, The Help
Jessica Chastain, The Tree of Life
Lin Shaye, Insidious

Original Screenplay
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Bridesmaids
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

Score
Michael Andrews, Bad Teacher
The Chemical Brothers, Hanna