Top Ten List: Best Supporting Actress 2011

10. Judi Dench for J. Edgar - J. Edgar was a huge disappointment. Not a disappointment? The expectantly great performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Judi Dench, as his tough love mother who loves and berates him and adores and terrifies him. It's a splendidly layered performance.

09. Bryce Dallas Howard for The Help - Howard is fabulous as the ultimate mean girl in the 1950s, treating her servants, friends and even family members like crap. But don't worry. She more than gets what she deserves.

08. Judy Greer for The Descendants - Greer doesn't show up until about three quarters of the way through the movie. She doesn't have a very big part, but she plays her few scenes with so much substance and subtlety that you can't take your eyes off of her.

07. Allison Pill for Midnight in Paris - As the flamboyant, fabulous Zelda Fitzgerald, Pill is a delight with her Southern accent and hatred for Ernest Hemingway. Even when she's having a break down, she's charismatic.

06. Anna Kendrick for 50/50 - This under the radar movie was so underrated and so is Kendrick's performance as a newbie therapist who maybe needs a little therapy herself. Her performance is warm and sweet and awkward and lovely.

05. Jessica Chastain for The Tree of Life - Chastain came out of nowhere this year and managed to give a handful of spectacular performances. In The Tree of Life, she holds her own opposite Brad Pitt and Sean Penn as a loving, beautiful, caring mother.

04. Octavia Spencer for The Help - So much sass! Spencer plays the role of Minny to perfection. Her maid is spunky and has more than enough moxie to go around.

03. Jessica Chastain for The Help - The Help was probably the best ensemble of the year. And the stand out? Chastain, of course, as the ditzy, brand new rich girl who would do anything to fit in. She's funny and sweet and loveable.

02. Shailene Woodley for The Descendants - I wasn't buying the hype either. I thought, no way is this little girl from that pregnant teenager show on ABC Family THAT good. But, she is. As Alexandra, daughter of Clooney, she plays angsty teenager so naturally that you forget she's playing a character and think she's just herself.

01. Jessica Chastain for Take Shelter - The Oscars may be burned out on Chastain's ubiquitous year by the time nominations are announced, but I'm certainly not. Chastain glows in so many outstanding performances this year that it's hard to pick just one as THE performance. But, opposite Michael Shannon, she proves she's a force to be reckoned with and one to watch for years to come.