Mummy an' the Armadillo (2004)

A young woman stops at a rundown roadside diner during a dark and stormy night which sets in motion a series of events that bring out dark secrets, psychological quotes, and more.

Director:

J.S. Cardone

Writers:

J.S. Cardone (play), J.S. Cardone (screenplay)

Stars:

Betty Buckley, Lori Heuring, Clare Kramer

5 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Betty Buckley	...	Let
Lori Heuring	...	Billie
Clare Kramer	...	Sarah
Busy Philipps	...	Carol Ann
Brad Renfro	...	Wyatte
Johnathon Schaech	...	Jesse
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe	...	Jackie
Wade Williams	...	Temple
Amanda Aday	...	Bevers
F.J. Flynn	...	Father
Ashley Edner	...	Young Billie (as Ashley Louise Edner)
Luke Strode	...	Young Jesse

Storyline

Set entirely at a run-down roadside diner in Arizona, called The Armadillo Cafe, a shady tourist, named Sarah, stops for a rest at the deserted place run by a wary young woman, named Billie, and her dysfunctional and deranged family whom include her psychotic, alcoholic mother Let and her two sons; the retarded Wyatte and the crazed cowboy Jesse whom tie up and hold Sarah hostage when she begins asking too many questions about their pasts and is subjected to their mind games and physical and mental torture to find out her connection to the family and dark secrets they hold.

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Plot Keywords:

diner | torture | tourist | arizona | hostage | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and terror, strong sexual dialogue and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Scare Hole

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sandstorm Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Sarah: If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you please untie me.
Let: Not until I get to the bottom of this.
Sarah: Please...please, these ropes are cutting off my circulation
Let: If you wouldn't squirm about like a gopher in a trap, you'd be fine.

User Reviews

Fell Way Short

I loved the claustrophobic atmosphere and the darkness, and the acting was even solid, but the story was sorely lacking.

Converting a stage play to film can be a difficult task, but as long as the actors maintain the drama, then all is well. The troupe did just that, but the story's revelations were hum-drum and very mediocre. Even the "surprises" left me with no emotional response.

As far as stories go, the subtleties in the movie didn't have the "big bang" effect they should have. That's because the essence, the mystery of the tale, was nothing new or intriguing. If the narrative was more gripping and unique, then the subtleties (what little there were actually) would have been far more poignant.

Some list this as a horror movie, but it isn't at all. As for a drama, definitely - but as far as the suspense or thriller aspect, not by a long shot.