The other two women pleaded guilty to a single charge of counterfeiting. the three womens 2012 arrests for coupon fraud, the major motion picture they inspired is set to open in theaters this Friday, were ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million in restitution to Procter & Gamble, REVIEW: Queenpins Takes Coupon Counterfeiting to Extremes, The Cast and Crew of Queenpins Take a Crash Course in Coupons, Coupon Industry Gets Ready For Its Closeup, In Queenpins, A Q&A With the Creators of Queenpins, the Counterfeit Coupon Caper. At the time of her arrest, investigators discovered Ramirez had four online accounts and 12 bank accounts. 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. It all sounded so unbelievable and over the top, and we knew the story had the makings for a great comedy., So while the women may not be thrilled to see their pasts dredged up and played for laughs on the big screen, Lake is hopeful that moviegoers wont come away with the wrong idea about creating or using counterfeit coupons. That's the psychological illogic of coupons, referred to in the movie as the "coupon high." Watch Queenpins | Prime Video - amazon.com And it does seem like Queenpinswill take a comedic look at the inequality underpinning the counterfeit coupon market. Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste, playing the lead roles, are as spectacular as ever. Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. (music by) Cinematography by Andrew Wehde . 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell - TheWrap In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. Queenpins, directed and written by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, adapts a real-life story and presents it most humorously and entertainingly. The site's critics consensus reads: "Lowbrow humor and inconsistent storytelling undercut Queenpins' talented cast, making this coupon-clipping comedy a disappointingly poor bargain. Meanwhile, Ken is partnered with U.S. postal inspector Simon Kilmurry. They may also expose themselves to additional risk by providing their names, home addresses, and financial information to organized crime rings." ', 'These people aren't buying a few coupons from this site,' Officer James Holmes added. It might have been more interesting to have lead police officer on the case a woman, as it was in the actual arrest. Ben Stiller serves as an executive producer under his Red Hour Productions banner. Queenpins is Rexha's first major acting role. Connie, JoJo, Simon (Vince Vaughn) and Ken (Paul Walter Hauser) arewhat Aron and I feelwhat we're all often feeling in this life: undervalued and discounted. Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. She spends her free time drinking coffee and trying to resist the urge to buy any new books before reading the many she already owns. He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. After a shootout breaks out at a jazz club in the heart of town over a 'transaction' gone wrong, the Shrimps of Ocean Street and the Deadbeats of Industrial Way prepare to fight. US Postal Inspector Simon Kilmurry (Vince Vaughn) appears to be entirely fictional. Queenpins. The film's largely painful humor is informed by the mistaken belief that the main characters' criminal enterprise is inherently quirky. From left, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste. July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women, 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. "This is to American companies who produced American products and hire American citizens" (DSA). And the women wont be getting any windfall from Queenpins. 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." Nell Minow is the Contributing Editor at RogerEbert.com. "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. Dave Lake told CBS5 later. But thats just Connie and Jojo. 17:42 EST 23 Jul 2021. Had their deals been a little worse, maybe the women would have never gotten caught. 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. The CIC and some of its members were on location in a mobile command unit watching the bust." For the most part, yes. I just decided I really wanted to play the curmudgeon nature of the character. 'Queenpins' Review: Deals, Discounts and Delinquency - WSJ The Queenpins true story reveals that there were three women involved in the real-life scheme, not two like in the movie. No. Kiara frowned, watching the usually stoic Ame toss and turn in the driver's seat. The True Story Behind the Movie Queenpins - Film School Rejects Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. 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. The ring used a series of twelve different bank accounts to house their money. Released in the United States on September 10, 2021 by STXfilms, the film received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office bomb, grossing only $1.2 million against a $20 million production budget. Savvy Shopper Site had a few other suspicious requirements. JoJo combines two people in real life:Amiko Fountain and Marilyn Johnson. Once there, buyers would have access to an array of high-dollar coupons. When we use coupons, we feel like we're getting away with something, like we're smart and special. The true story behind Queenpins reveals that the women bought them in bulk overseas and then posted them for sale on sites like eBay and their own website, SavvyShopperSite.com, which is now defunct. In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. While it might seem outrageous and is played for laughs in the movie, in July 2012, a SWAT team really did raid the Phoenix residences of the three women who played a part in the counterfeit coupon operation. By Kristen Bell And Kirby Howell-Baptiste Run A Multi-Million Dollar Coupon Scam In The 'Queenpins' Trailer. So will Robin Ramirez, Amiko Fountain and Marilyn Johnson be going to see Queenpins this weekend? Ken is the kind of guy who desperately wants to present himself as a stoic, but when alone, screams in rage. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? That's not how the world works y'know. 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. Like a coupon high, the fun of this movie does not last. .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. 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. Bell plays Connie, whose life is smaller and sadder than she expected, following her early success as a gold-medal-winning Olympic athlete (but in a low-profile event, race-walking). This includes forums and any public viewing areas or websites.". They also turned to the Coupon Information Corporation. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? Ramirez pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, counterfeiting and fraud. -TIME. I'd recommend this film for unwinding on a Friday night after a long week. Shecan next be seen in the indie film Silent Night and later inThe Sandman TV series. 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. Afterwards, the duo begins their own website and small business "Savvy Super Saver", which helps them sell numerous coupons and generate profit. Un par de amas de casa crean una estafa de cupones de 40 millones de dlares. No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. The three real-life Coupon Queens carried out their counterfeit operation in Phoenix, Arizona where they lived. The coupons are being sent through the mail and the FBI does not take it seriouslybecause it's coupons. Ramirez, Fountain and Johnson are now having to live with what they did. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy "These aren't 50-cent-off coupons. Ill go out on a limb here and predict that their once noble intentions go off the rails. 'They're buying bunches, and they're redeeming them in bunches.'. 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. Lets break it down. Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha makes her feature film debut in the Queenpins movie. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But can you live with what you did?. Mumolo was an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter for the romantic comedy Bridesmaids. She has spent her life chatting about popular media to anyone who would listen, even appearing on conference panels to discuss her favorite (and least favorite) shows and movies. A look at the counterculture movement that became the religious right. However, he doesn't appear to have inspired Vaughn's Kilmurry. But court records indicate that she has not quite been able to put this case behind her. Because at Coupons In The News, we believe an educated consumer is the best couponer! Kristen Bell, her The Good Place co-star Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and singer Bebe Rexha are set to star in an upcoming comedy calledQueenpins, in which they play a trio of women who make bank in a coupon counterfeiting scam but the massive real-life fraud that inspired the film was no laughing matter. 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. Paul Walter Hauser's character, Ken Miller, seems to be a very loosely-inspired caricature of Bud Miller, the Executive Director of the Coupon Information Corporation (CIC). Credit: Courtesy STX Films "They're also some of the best writers I've ever worked with. Hauser previouslyworked with Howell-Baptiste in Cruella and also appeared in I, Tonya. Of course, the trailer also shows them later living in luxury and boarding private jets. Vince Vaughnas Simon Kilmurry -Vince Vaughn plays Simon Kilmurry, a U.S. postal inspector who works with Ken to investigate the coupon scam. Having had enough of his lack of support, she declares that she wants a divorce. "[11] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 45 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. The crime comedy is based on a counterfeit coupon empire that shocked law enforcement. Queenpins: Dirigido por Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly. Details of the true story at the heart of Queenpinswere first revealed in July 2012. Upon realizing that they could get a coupon for a free item sent to them just by complaining to the manufacturer, they come up with a plan to smuggle and steal cases of those coupons, to then sell to people. I was very excited when I saw on the front page of the script that was based on a true story. Annie MumoloasCrystal - Mumolo appears in the minor role of Crystal. 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. Jack McBrayerasAgent Park - McBrayer has extensive experience in comedy. These are free-item coupons," Phoenix Police Sgt. Thats the type of money they had, Sgt. A judge sentenced Ramirez to twenty-four months in prison and seven years probation. Queenpins - Contemporary Robin Hoods grounded in the real world Carly Stern For Dailymail.com -TIME, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media. A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam. 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. How Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste's Real-Life Friendship Led 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. David Lake, who led the Phoenix Police Departments investigation, told KPHOat the time. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Coupons in the News features daily news stories and information about coupons, grocery shopping and saving money. [7], Principal photography began in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. That is the basic premise of Queenpins, a comedy reuniting The Good Placeco-stars Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as the two leads. Yes. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. David Lake, who led the Phoenix Police Departments investigation, told KPHO at the time. A real disc jockey inspired Robin Williams classic character. Netherlands ($200,244), United Arab Emirates ($123,281), Hungary ($88,609), Croatia ($41,810), Lithuania ($18,354), Iceland ($11,774), South Africa ($5,900) and Portugal ($5,501). Queenpins | Official Trailer [HD] | In Theaters September 10 - YouTube 'Queenpins' Review: How to Scam Audiences with Sophomoric Humor If you watch the movie 'Queenpins,' you will see, what I believe, is the first film in Hollywood to feature AEW in the film." Furthermore, Paul Walter Hauser reveals that he has actually had minimal wrestling training with several names from The Nightmare Factory including Anthony Ogogo, Preston Vance, and even WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas . There's a reason Bell is making quips about crime. -Investigative Consultants. Okeniyi appeared in The Hunger Games and Run Sweetheart Run, and his next role is in Greek Freak. Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly's Queenpins concerns two Arizona suburbanites, Connie (Kristen Bell) and JoJo (Kirby . 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. Judge Daniel Martin sentenced her to 24 months, as well as seven years probation. Because they arent exactly hardened criminals, they think that the money theyve made through their shell company has to be laundered, so they bought all these high priced items with the intent to just immediately resell them. No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. Lets break it down. (67) 6.3 1 h 50 min 2021 X-Ray R. A suburban homemaker and her best friend turn a hobby into a multi-million-dollar counterfeit coupon caper. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. For her first film since Frozen II (the 10th highest-grossing movie of all-time . FREE FIRE TOP 3 GAME REAL CHARACTER para SAMSUNG A3,A5,A6 A7,J2,J5,J7,S5,S6 S7,S9,A10,A20 A30,A50 Their script is so nuanced and the words are chosen so perfectly. Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. But the coupons were high-quality counterfeits. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy 'Queenpins' Summary & Ending, Explained - Digital Mafia Talkies Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski Kristen Bell stars as Connie Kaminski, a suburban housewife who just wants to find a solution for the debt burying her and her husband. Yes. Queenpins Writers Balance Comedic Tone with Real-Life Drama in Coupon And I think it comes from loneliness and feeling isolated and kind of under-utilized or under-appreciated. 'Its like Robin Hood,' Howell-Baptiste's character says in the trailer, summing up the coupon fraud plan. [13], Last edited on 16 February 2023, at 04:25, "STXfilms' Kristen Bell Coupon Clipping Scam Comedy 'Queenpins' Sells US For $20M+ To Paramount+ & Showtime", "Leslie Jones-Kristen Bell Coupon Caper 'Queenpins' Lands With Rocket Science Cannes", "Vince Vaughn & Paul Walter Hauser Join Comedy 'Queenpins' With Leslie Jones & Kristen Bell", "Kristen Bell & Kirby Howell-Baptiste Coupon Scam Comedy 'Queenpins' Snapped Up By STX Toronto", "Bebe Rexha Joins Kristen Bell in Comedy 'Queenpins', "Dayo Okeniyi, Joel McHale, Nick Cassavetes, Michael Masini, Eduardo Franco, Paul Rust And 3 More Join 'Queenpins'; Jack McBrayer And Annie Mumolo To Cameo", "And so it begins #Queenpins", "STX Dates 'Queenpins', 'National Champions', 'Violence Of Action' & Untitled Guy Ritchie Movie For 2021 & Beyond", "Paul Walter Hauser Quietly Steals Delightful Crime Comedy 'Queenpins', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Queenpins&oldid=1139643182, This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 04:25. It is also revealed that Connie, after numerous unsuccessful attempts to conceive following her miscarriage, is finally pregnant through in vitro fertilization. She also was ordered to pay restitution of up to $5 million. 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. The film revolves around an ordinary suburban housewife's desire to forge her own path, which ultimately leads her to the world of scams. Vince Vaughn's other moviesincludemany big-budget action films and comedies such as The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Wedding Crashers. 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. 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. McHaleis perhaps best known for his role inCommunity, and will next be starring in the series Black Box. -Daily Mail. 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. 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. 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. Bell has extensive experience in Broadway, television, and film, leading successful TV series like Veronica Mars and The Good Place. But its funny that its gotten so much attention, Lake said. Real Stories is an ongoing column about the true stories behind movies and TV shows. She really likes to watch out the window as we land and it helps calm her down. The real-life Queenpins thought that the similar name would make their scheme appear more legitimate. Along with paying Procter & Gamble millions of dollars, Ramirez had to serve jail time. 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. Queenpins (2021) Rated R for language throughout. Law-enforcement authorities, manufacturers, and retailers advise against purchasing coupons. No one who purchased coupons faced legal repercussions, but one cant help but think that they are the real losers here. Authorities also seized twenty-two assault weapons and twenty-one vehicles, including a forty-foot boat, in the raid. Fountain and Johnson both still live and work in the Phoenix area, in professions that have nothing to do with coupons. She portrays a fictional computer hacker named Tempe Tina, who helps the two main characters with their coupon scam. [10], On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 47% based on 62 reviews with an average rating of 5.40/10. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. Bud is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and an industry veteran. And after reading the script and falling massively in love with it, because it was such a grounded comedy, I did some research about these women. Although both women also had to financially reimburse P&G, they did not have to serve jail time for their part in the scheme. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. We're all looking for a loophole to find our joy and happiness in life." But thats just Connie and Jojo. 'Queenpins' Review: Suburban Scammers Two cash-strapped neighbors devise a multimillion-dollar coupon swindle in this mildly entertaining comedy. We dont want people to think they can do this, he said. One account had more than $2 million dollars. Authorities later estimated that the coupon ring cost corporations hundreds of millions of dollars in profit. None of the characters are based on the real individuals involved, Gaudet told Coupons in the News. The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. It stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Paul Walter Hauser, Bebe Rexha, and Vince Vaughn. According to Sgt. You don't always get your way. Instead, Hauser's character is a loss-prevention officer for a grocery store chain. Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. Not only does Arizona state law forbid convicted criminals from profiting by selling their story, but writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly have emphasized that their story is an entirely fictional version of the real thing. She was the only one of the three to receive jail time. While JoJo is released on bail, Rick visits Connie only so he can admonish her, having been informed by Simon that she and JoJo have defrauded over 240 companies of tens of millions of dollars. [Resumes eating snacks and looking out the window], Watch Queenpins: Gita Pullapilly & Aron Gaudet On Why Kristen Bell And Kirby Howell-Baptiste Were Right For Their Roles, Watch Queenpins: Kristen Bell On How She Became Involved In The Film, Watch Queenpins: Paul Walter Hauser On What Drew Him To The Film, Watch Queenpins: Kirby Howell-Baptiste On How She Became Involved In The Film, Watch Queenpins: Bebe Rexha On The Experience She's Had So Far Acting In Her First Film. But nobody really thought it was a big deal, because, you know, its coupons.. Directed and written by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, the movie stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Vince Vaughn, Paul Walter Hauser, and Bebe Rexha. "We knew, based on our research on past films, the more we dig into the real lives, it becomes much more serious, much more dramatic," Pullapilly told the, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. It's very easy to say their words," says Kristen. Queenpins is playing in theaters with plans to stream on Paramount+ in the near future. Police in Phoenix, Arizona, announced the arrest of three women after they confiscated more than $25 million worth of fake coupons in a raid. They included coupons for anything from Hershey bars to dog food to diapers. Queenpins (2021) - IMDb Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. The movie, which premieres September 10, offers a comical take on the true story ofRobin Ramirez, Amiko Fountain, and Marilyn Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, who were arrested in 2012 for their years-long counterfeitingracket and ordered to pay P&G millions in restitution. And they get a monthly reminder every time they make their latest restitution payment. And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. Which brings us to Queenpins, a based-on-a-true-story comedy about the suburbanite besties behind the largest coupon counterfeit scam in U.S. history. Queenpinshits theaters on September 10th and will be available to stream via Paramount+ on September 30th. Some customers became aware of the bust after they tried to use the coupons and they didn't work. Ramirez, Fountain and Johnson were charged and convicted for running their very own $40 million counterfeit coupon scheme, for which theyre still paying the price and may well be for the rest of their lives. Queenpins Cast And Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42).

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