Ah, the collegiate conference call.

Reporters from across the nation are gathered via phone conference to listen to the rapture of one of Hollywood’s most renowned celebrities – Tom Cruise. Up to 100 reporters are often assembled for a 20-minute press conference via phone. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one question with one of People magazine’s most beautiful people.

You’d think with one question to ask a man you’re likely never to meet, you’d think of better things than “how do you relate to your character?” Or “why don’t you do comedy?” Or the dreaded “if you could give advice to aspiring actors, what would it be?” Thank goodness his relationship with Katie Holmes was announced a few days afterward.

One sad reporter fell victim to Cruise’s quick sense of humor when he tried comparing shots in the “War of the Worlds” trailer to the film “Deep Impact.”

“I think you need to watch ‘Deep Impact’ again,” Cruise scorned back. “It’s an entirely different lens.”

Opening June 29, “Worlds” marks Cruise’s second collaboration with Steven Spielberg. Their first work was 2002’s “Minority Report.”

“The speed and accuracy of Steven’s creative ability is very exciting to me,” Cruise said of his longtime friend Spielberg. “He has great certainty of what he’s creating.”

And Cruise should know a little something about directors. During his 24-year career as an actor, Cruise has worked with Francis Ford Coppola (“The Outsiders”), Ridley Scott (“Legend”), Martin Scorsese (“The Color of Money”), Oliver Stone (“Born on the Fourth of July”), Ron Howard (“Far and Away”), Rob Reiner (“A Few Good Men”), Sydney Pollock (“The Firm”), Cameron Crowe (“Jerry Maguire”), Paul Thomas Anderson (“Magnolia”), Michael Mann (“Collateral”) and Stanley Kubrick (“Eyes Wide Shut”).

“Every single director is totally different,” Cruise said, speaking from his experience. “You look at Kubrick and you see his voice. He really used the wide angle lens like no one before. He liked the depth of the room and what it brought to the performances in this movies.”

Before taking a role, Cruise diligently researches all of the director’s past work to get a feel for what he or she is about to create. Because of his long relationship with Spielberg, Cruise has focused more on the adaptation of H.G. Wells classic novel – a story that has been translated into a classic radio play by Orson Welles, as well as a feature film by Byron Haskin in 1953.

“First thing, this is not a remake,” Cruise said. “Ours is based on the book, but it is definitely not a remake. It’s more of a tribute to the original book.”

What happens in “War of the Worlds” cannot be discussed for obvious reasons. Basically, a man discovers before everyone else that an alien invasion is about to take place. Along with his overly cute daughter (Dakota Fanning), Ray Fanning (Cruise) must figure out a way to keep his family alive long enough to outlast the invading force.

Cruise is known for his abandonment of the Catholic religion and attachment to Scientology, a religion Cruise claims to have cured him of his dyslexia. So, does Scientology have an influence over his belief in extraterrestrial life?

“I think it is truly arrogant to believe that we are the only beings in the universe,” Cruise said. “But as far as aliens are concerned – I don’t know.”

What Cruise does know is that mankind is definitely under attack. What sounds like Hollywood talking points to some really ring true for Cruise.

“When you look at mankind, we have natural enemies. I just don’t think mankind is cognizant of it,” he said. “If you look at drug addiction, illiteracy, crime and immorality, it doesn’t matter who you are, what you believe in, you will be affected by those things.”

So how should man react in times of war?

“That’s what I was interested in,” Cruise answered. “To me, the “War of the Worlds” theme is timeless. It can be represented in any era.”

Unfortunately, our interview wasn’t so timeless. After a brief 20 minutes and no opportunity to ask a question, Tom was gone. I was left with a phone in my hand and one dumb look on my face.

“War of the Worlds” opens June 29.