It's unclear if their real-life counterparts,Ramirez, Fountain, and Johnson, had such charitable aspirations when they started their illicitenterprise. If you can get an unlimited number of those, think how this grows. Much the same can be said for Paul Walter Houser, who plays Ken Miller, the loss prevention officer that uncovers and eventually busts Connie and Jojos scam. Queenpins True Story: The Real-Life Inspiration Explained - ScreenRant When we use coupons, we feel like we're getting away with something, like we're smart and special. But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. -TIME. Indeed, the movie is inspired by a true story, but just how closely does the film follow the events and people its based on? Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. The story of the three womens 2012 arrests for coupon fraud is back in the news, as the major motion picture they inspired is set to open in theaters this Friday. The REAL story behind Kristen Bell's upcoming movie Queenpins Watching "Queenpins" is like eating grocery store birthday cake. The True Story Behind the Movie Queenpins - Film School Rejects Kristen Bell stars as Connie Kaminski, a suburban housewife who just wants to find a solution for the debtburying her and her husband. They encounter married employees Alejandro and Rosa Diaz, who agree to send them the unused coupons. This happened after various companies that had been impacted by the bogus coupons hired private investigators to uncover the origins of the coupons. Ramirez, then 40, Fountain, then 42, and Johnson, then 54, were arrested andcharged with counterfeiting, forgery, money laundering, operating an illegal enterprise, and other crimes. In real life, the FBI did get involved, along with the non-profit Coupon Information Center. But court records indicate that she has not quite been able to put this case behind her. Mugshots of the real women behind Queenpins are displayed below. But thats just Connie and Jojo. Queenpins (2021) - IMDb They don't call it robbery; they prefer "removing" or "separating.". According to Time magazine, they went undercover and purchased coupons as part of their effort to locate the source. Queenpins tells a comedic story of two down-on-their-luck Phoenix women who discover their path to prosperity by concocting a $40 million counterfeit coupon scheme that all comes crashing down when they get caught. Queenpins' cast of characters also includes familiar faces like Bebe Rexha, Vince Vaughn, and Joel McHale in supporting roles. Perhaps the most telling sign that things weren't on the up-and-up was the fact that the site advised, "Please do not share this information with people that you don't actually know. In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. Queenpinsdebuted in theaters on September 10, 2021. Coupon enthusiast Jill Cataldo warns, "Even though many places sell coupons online, you should never buy them. Herreal-life counterpart isRobin Ramirez, who police considered the ringleader of the criminal operation. As the Time article notes, couponing became popular not only in the wake of reality television shows like TLCs Extreme Couponing but also due to the economic reality in the wake of the Great Recession. Tempe Tina does not have a real-life counterpart. The vehicles included a custom Corvette that was worth over $150,000. The scheme came crashing down after forty businesses, including major companies like Proctor & Gamble, Hershey, and PepsiCo, filed fraud complaints. She also was ordered to pay restitution of up to $5 million. Of course, the trailer also shows them later living in luxury and boarding private jets. Ame shielded her eyes from the sunlight, "It's just that it's been a while since I've been on duty at daytime.". She really likes to watch out the window as we land and it helps calm her down. ', 'These people aren't buying a few coupons from this site,' Officer James Holmes added. The comments below have not been moderated, By Shedisplays considerable comedy chopsin films like Bad Momsand is also well-known for her role as Anna inDisney's Frozen franchise. Here's the cast and character guide for Queenpins, along with comparisons to some of the characters' counterparts in real life. The Arizona coupon ring's leader, Robin Ramirez, and her accomplices, Marilyn Johnson and Amiko Fountain, were arrested in July of 2012. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. And the women wont be getting any windfall from Queenpins. Queenpins | Official Trailer [HD] | In Theaters September 10 - YouTube It was then that they learned of the fakes that were in circulation. I have never purchased coupons from a clipping service or an auction site." Many of the details of the real story have been changed, including the names, but also backstories to make the characters more sympathetic. He'd be scary if the film didn't make him the literal butt of the joke. Authorities eventually traced Ramirezs activity back to 2007. From left, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste. Here's the cast and character guide for Queenpins, along with comparisons to some of the characters' counterparts in real life. It's not a seamless fit. $100,000 x 40 is 4 million not 40 million. Bud played an instrumental role in taking down the three women who inspired the Queenpins movie.Unlike Bud Miller, Hauser's character doesn't work for the Coupon Information Corporation (a not-for-profit association of consumer product manufacturers dedicated to fighting coupon misredemption and fraud). While the movie is focused on two women, there were three at the heart of the real coupon ring. She was born and raised in Huntington Woods, Michigan, and is the daughter of Lorelei (Frygier), a nurse, and Tom Bell, a television news director. He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. He has been commended by the FBI for supporting them in numerous efforts to fight "complex coupon fraud schemes." In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. She was the only one of the three to receive jail time. You know what, I bet if a better actor were playing Ken Miller, thered probably be a little fine tooth combing involved with the world of loss prevention. Joel McHaleas Rick Kaminski- McHale plays Connie's husband who is worried about their growing amount of debt. "You've got yourself an eighteen-karat run of bad luck, kid.". According to Sgt. 'These aren't 50 cent off coupons. At the time of her arrest, investigators discovered Ramirez had four online accounts and 12 bank accounts. This is based on the true story of three women: Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson, and Amiko "Amy" Fountain. Police in Phoenix, Arizona, announced the arrest of three women after they confiscated more than $25 million worth of fake coupons in a raid. For her first film since Frozen II (the 10th highest-grossing movie of all-time . Produced by Music by Siddhartha Khosla . In addition to the $40 million in counterfeit coupons that they confiscated, police seized $2 million in assets from the three women, including four homes, 22 guns, a 40-foot speed boat, and 21 vehicles. She does not seem to take it too seriously, telling us that "this is a story about little old coupons.". The opening scenes show Bell's character getting arrested before a flashback to explain what happened. "This is to American companies who produced American products and hire American citizens" (DSA). However, Ken Miller, a hapless loss prevention officer for the A&G Family Marts stores in the Southwestern United States, learns about the coupons and the losses several companies are taking, and pressures his superiors before ultimately deciding to handle the case himself. By Autumn has a Master of Arts in English from Northern Michigan University, where she also taught superhero-themed composition courses. However, they quickly learned that with a little crime, they could actually make money off of it. Eventually, they brought in Phoenix police, who conducted aneight-week investigation. The real-life Queenpins thought that the similar name would make their scheme appear more legitimate. Despite the absurdity of the synopsis, believe it or not,Queenpins is based on a true story. One local law enforcement official at the time told the news: The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. Queenpins - Chapter 1 - Elias_Pedro - Archive of Our Own The pair are currently starring as crooked coupon buddies in the crime comedy "Queenpins," written and directed by husband-and-wife duo Aron. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's - Yahoo! -Daily Mail. The details were first revealed after a Tuesday morning raid in July 2012 by the Phoenix Arizona Police Department. You can't make this stuff up - and the filmmakers didn't have to. Paul Walter Hauser Got AEW References Into 'Queenpins' Film - Fightful Ramirezs case was back before a judge as recently as July, when her probation officer reported she was falling behind on her share of the nearly $1.3 million in restitution payments she and her cohorts were ordered to pay. Yes, like the grocery store coupons that come with the Sunday paper. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Hershey's Canada releases HER for SHE bars featuring a trans activist, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race. Jack McBrayerasAgent Park - McBrayer has extensive experience in comedy. Its that simple. Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. So they may be the first ones to tell you that coupon crime may make for a great Hollywood comedy but in real life, its no laughing matter. She is also known for her appearances in Killing Eve and Cruella. Thats the type of money they had, Sgt. Their unbelievable success eventually catches the attention of law enforcement. Autumn Cejer is a Movie/TV Features Writer for Screen Rant. The amount covered all of P&G's losses, for the fake coupons as well as extra manpower needed to deal with the issue. Click here to get in touch, or for information about advertising on the site. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Alienated by her uninspiring existence being unemployed and having suffered a miscarriage in an attempt to conceive a child, Connie commiserates with her best friend Joanna "JoJo" Johnson, who has been unable to secure proper employment since having her identity stolen and thus lives with her mother Josephine, attempting to generate revenue by making YouTube videos while being amorously pursued by the local mailman, Earl. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. Queenpins is Rexha's first major acting role. Yes, a bear actually did consumer millions of dollars worth of cocaine. Previously, she worked as a singer and songwriter, penning hitslike Eminem and Rihanna's "The Monster" and collaborating with bands such as Florida Georgia Line. Those are intriguing issues but themovie is less interested in exploring them than it is giving the queenpins makeovers and silly plot detours involving a militia and extended scatological humor. You know what, I bet if a better actor were playing Ken Miller, thered probably be a little fine tooth combing involved with the world of loss prevention. Carly Stern For Dailymail.com, Dax Shepard wishes wife Kristen Bell a happy 41st birthday: 'Here's wishing you another 100 years in the saddle', Conwoman, 60, accused of posing as gem expert to swap diamonds worth 4.2m for pebbles was caught on CCTV outside Mayfair jeweller Boodles the day before heist, court hears. "[11] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 45 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". -Investigative Consultants. The Coupon Queens cheated as many as 40 major manufacturers (Business Insider). After six months, the pair figure their money is safe to use, but because the money is dirty, they need to spend and clean it. And thats why they make excuses, he said. Real Stories is an ongoing column about the true stories behind movies and TV shows. They'd then sell them on eBay and a website, SavvyShopperSite, for a profit. The film's largely painful humor is informed by the mistaken belief that the main characters' criminal enterprise is inherently quirky. Law-enforcement authorities, manufacturers, and retailers advise against purchasing coupons. Is Queenpins on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, or Prime? However, he doesn't appear to have inspired Vaughn's Kilmurry. They included coupons for anything from Hershey bars to dog food to diapers. I try to work with police chiefs, at the state and local level, to come up with ways of explaining how important protecting our business infrastructure is, he said. Credit: Courtesy STX Films. The other queenpin is Connie's neighbor and close friend JoJo (Howell-Baptiste), who was a victim of identity theft that ruined her credit and her ability to apply for jobs. The movie takes a more lighthearted angle on the real story, having to combine ortweak some of the people involved in order towork better as a film. See production, box office & company info. Ramirez, too, declined to respond to requests for comment. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. The comedy Queenpins is inspired by the largest coupon scam in U.S. history. His filmography contains works such as Face/Off, The Astronaut's Wife, and The Hangover Part II, and he will next be appearing inThe Ogilvy Fortune. [1] It was released on September 10, 2021. She suggestsmaking fake identities and multiple accounts to store their earnings. Visitors to the Savvy Shopper Site website could buy high-value coupons offering free items like detergent, diapers, pet food and more, for pennies on the dollar. You could only place an order if you had a referral from a current customer, and you had to pay for your order with a Green Dot Moneypak (prepaid debit card). In researching the Queenpins true story, we learned that Procter & Gamble did an audit of their third-party coupon processors. On the case to bust them: a supermarkets loss-prevention officer and a US postal inspector, played by Paul Walter HauserandVince Vaughn, respectively. The women sold their counterfeit coupons on various online sites, including eBay and their own website, SavvyShopperSite.com. He also explained the counterfeit coupon case to Gaudet and Pullapilly, who sought him out after their curiosity was piqued when they first read about the crime. In the wake of the bust, all three women pleaded guilty. In reality, thewomen seemed to have a better grasp of how to stay under the radar than the movie portrays, which enabled them to avoid police detection for so long. But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. In this film we have one of the world's most adorable people, Kristen Bell, with her delightful "The Good Place" co-star Kirby Howell-Baptiste as the two women who almost make a multi-million dollar crime seem cute. Along with paying Procter & Gamble millions of dollars, Ramirez had to serve jail time. Greg Garcia, a cashier at her local A&G Family Marts store, explains to her that companies habitually respond to complaint letters by sending coupons for free items. The acting was solid, though the relatively unknown Paul Walter Hauser stole the movie. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy The trail led to the Arizona coupon ring located in Phoenix. Husband-and-wife filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly did fly to Arizona in 2018 to interview the real detective who worked the case. Ramirez pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, counterfeiting and fraud. But can you live with what you did?. If you can get an unlimited number of those, think how this grows" (Yahoo Finance). She was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by seven years probation. "We're talking about anywhere from $400 to $600 million in loss," said Officer James Holmes of the Phoenix Police Department. You know what, I bet if a better actor were playing Ken Miller, thered probably be a little fine tooth combing involved with the world of loss prevention. After complaining about cereal gone stale, the pair receives dozens of freebies, inspiring them to hatch an illegal coupon club scheme. A look at the counterculture movement that became the religious right. Included in the seizures were $25,000,000 worth of fake coupons, 22 assault weapons, and 21 vehicles including a 40 foot boat. But thats just Connie and Jojo. Queenpins is a 2021 American comedy film written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. Vaughn is also currently appearing in the series Curb Your Enthusiasm. Bud Miller, Executive Director of the Coupon Information Center, told money-saving columnist Jill Cataldo at the time, "These customers should expect contact in the future." [5] In October 2020, Bebe Rexha joined the cast of the film. Queenpins Cast & Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From Mumolo was an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter for the romantic comedy Bridesmaids. Ramirez, the ringleader, was the only one sentenced to prison time two years while her counterparts got probation. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. FREE FIRE TOP 3 GAME REAL CHARACTER para SAMSUNG A3,A5,A6 A7,J2,J5,J7 And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. People who purchased coupons on the site could use them for an item and even get cash back if the value of the coupon exceeded the item's price. As far as the real women involved, stars Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste admit that they never actually met or spoke to the actual minds behind the crime to learn what sparked it. Slapstick . Related:Free Guy Cast, Characters & All Cameos Guide. [7], Principal photography began in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Queenpins. And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. [8], In June 2021, Showtime and Paramount+ acquired U.S. pay TV and streaming rights to the film for about $20 million. The comedy Queenpins is inspired by the largest coupon scam in U.S. history. .aspect-ratio-box { height: 0; overflow: hidden; padding-top: calc(720 / 1280 * 100%); background: #f9f9f9; position: relative; margin-bottom:30px; } .aspect-ratio-box-inside { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }, Read original story Queenpins': Heres the Real Story Behind Kristen Bells Crime Comedy At TheWrap, July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women, Queenpins': Heres the Real Story Behind Kristen Bells Crime Comedy, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works', How to watch every Oscars 2023 Best Picture nominee. Thats the type of money they had, Sgt. Queenpins Movie Writer-Directors Aron Gaudet and Gita - Awardsdaily Your email address will not be published. A charge for forgery was dropped. David Lake of the Phoenix Police Department. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy They also seized more than $2 million in other assets, including 22 guns, cash, 21 vehicles, and a speed boat. They were just two normal women, who felt taken advantage of by major corporations, and genuinely wanted to help other women and families who were struggling. Fountain and Johnson both still live and work in the Phoenix area, in professions that have nothing to do with coupons. Preferred customers could get even better deals on better coupons. Nell Minow is the Contributing Editor at RogerEbert.com. Queenpins: Dirigido por Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). In Queenpins, its Ken Miller who pleads with the FBI to get involved, but in the end, he ends up working with Vince Vaughns postal inspector character, with the reasoning being that the crime was technically committed via snail mail. Goodbye coupons, hello high prices. The duo bond on their mission, with Simon sympathizing with Ken's unwavering devotion. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? Indeed, the movie is inspired by a true story, but just how closely does the film follow the events and people its based on? Judge Rosa Mroz of Maricopa County Superior Court ordered all three to payProcter & Gamble $1,288,682 in reimbursement. 'Queenpins' Review: Suburban Scammers - The New York Times Queenpins. The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. Woman on Plane: Hey sorry, uhm, would you mind if we switched seats, just for this last part? She and JoJo then learn that the coupons originate from an Advanced Solutions factory in Chihuahua, Mexico, deciding to travel there and collect the coupons to redistribute to other mothers and wives. Why the USPS? They may also expose themselves to additional risk by providing their names, home addresses, and financial information to organized crime rings." 17:23 EST 23 Jul 2021 Now that theyve done their time and are working to pay off their debt, the women appear to be trying to put the incident behind them. Nick CassavetesasCaptain Pain - Cassavetes plays Captain Pain in Queenpins. David Lake said. None of the characters are based on the real individuals involved, Gaudet told Coupons in the News. Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. Bell has extensive experience in Broadway, television, and film, leading successful TV series like Veronica Mars and The Good Place. A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam.A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam.A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam. In February of 2013,Ramirez pleaded guilty to counterfeiting, fraud, and illegal control of an enterprise, though a forgery charge was dropped. Queenpins is playing in theaters with plans to stream on Paramount+ in the near future. No Offense, But These 2 Big Retailers Aren't The Cheapest Ad MoneyWise. It isvery pleasurable in the moment but likely to leave you feeling empty and a little queasy. Couponing goes criminal in the new trailer for Queenpins. "You are spending money we don't have," her husband says, looking at what was once supposed to be a nursery, now converted into what looks like a grocery warehouse.
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