Michael Goulding / Orange County Register / McClatchy Tribune

For me, watching the Academy Awards this year was a different experience than it was in previous years. The climax was the award for best supporting actor. And, of course, everyone waited to hear one name called as the envelope opened: Heath Ledger.

With the direction Batman movies are heading, Ledger stole the show. Ledger brought the Joker’s insanity on screen, becoming him and solely achieving what “Batman” creators envisioned. No matter how many times I watch the “The Dark Knight,” I still cannot find Ledger behind that make-up. He was the Joker, in every way: He was crazy, cynical and insane, but he loved the destruction, just like the Joker should.

Either it was the Joker’s insanity that made Heath lose it, or it was having to work with Christian Bale as Batman. If I had to hear that voice every time I went to work, I, too, would have some heavy thoughts.

Photo by McClatchy Tribune

I am just saying what everyone else is thinking: “The Dark Knight” was an amazing movie, but the reason for this was Ledger’s performance as the Joker.

We saw this in the results of the Academy Awards. It wasn’t the “The Dark Knight” that was cleaning up, even though it was arguably the best movie of 2008. Rather, “Slumdog Millionaire” was hogging the awards.

I agree with the Academy. Ledger gets the award for best supporting actor. “The Dark Knight” doesn’t do the best, but it is recognized.

So congratulations to Heath Ledger. It was nice to see his family accept his award. He deserved it. It is unfortunate that Ledger is considered a “supporting actor,” because he and no one else deserves the award for best actor of 2008.