What I meant is the films of those other actor-directors (through Beatty in there too) were more ambitious. I think Jones feature is a much more intimate and personal film, whereas Costner and Gibson (at least in terms of Braveheart) were trying to go for glory on a much grander scale. I don't hold that Braveheart is a certified masterpiece but I lliked the film a hell of a lot the first time I saw it (granted I was 16, so you can't be too surprised). I do see the similarities between this and Peckinpah's Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, shame in many ways that more people aren't chanelling Peckinpah, I fear his brand of films are going to steadily become more and more out of date.

As a side note, I will possibly argue to the death that Ordinary People is the best film of the 80's.