C. Thomas Howell -- Fires Off (Tom) Cruise Missile

Tom Cruise hasn't seen his daughter OR Ponyboy in a long, long time.

C. Thomas Howell -- star of the cult classic "The Outsiders" -- took a shot at Tom Tuesday at LAX.

Howell said he's still tight with co-stars Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon and Rob Lowe ... but wait till you hear how what he says about "Lord Cruise."

Stay gold, Ponyboy ... stay gold.