Last night, People’s Choice Awards reached its 35th edition. A ceremony held as a clear indicator of what the upcoming award season has in store for fans, as well as of the popular appeal various entertainers and projects have, for 2008, People’s Choice Awards crowned “The Dark Knight” as the absolute winner.

The latest installment of the caped crusader, and the most accomplished from all points of view, from what the critics are telling us, walked home with no less than five awards, meaning for each category for which it was nominated. This included an accolade for Favorite Cast, Superhero, Action Movie, and On-Screen Matchup, the last one for pairing Christian Bale’s Batman with Heath Ledger’s rendering of The Joker.

When Christian Bale took the stage to accept the award for Favorite Action Movie from Queen Latifah, at the ceremony hosted in the customary star-studded Shrine Auditorium, he did not forget to dedicate all the awards won that night to Heath Ledger, who passed away suddenly in January 2008. “On behalf of all of the cast from the movie, thank you very much to the fans. Here’s to Heath.” the actor told the audience before walking off the stage. 

Still in the film department, other winners of the night included Will Smith, who got an accolade in the Male Movie Star category, Reese Witherspoon for Female Movie Star, Brad Pitt and Kate Hudson in the Leading Man and Leading Lady categories, respectively. Pitt’s life partner, Angelina Jolie also got an accolade in the Female Action Star category but, much to the disappointment of the fans, neither was present to pick up their hard-earned distinctions.

“27 Dresses” was named the best Comedy Movie, while “The Secret Life of Bees” won two awards in the Drama Movie and Independent Movie categories. “House,” the story of a drug addicted, torn from reality doctor won for best TV Drama, while “Two and a Half Men” continued its successful run, taking home the award for best TV comedy. Teen hit “Heroes” also got an award for the best Sci-fi/Fantasy Show. To complete the list of winners, Adam Sandler and Tina Fey won for funniest male and female stars.