They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. Some of the coupon enthusiasts featured on the TLC show Extreme Couponing routinely purchased coupons from clipping services.In response to the Arizona coupon counterfeiting ring that inspired the Queenpins movie, the CIC's Bud Miller stated, "Coupon buyers expose themselves to the possibility of becoming involved with counterfeits, stolen property, or other criminal activities. Queenpinshits theaters on September 10th and will be available to stream via Paramount+ on September 30th. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. At $300 a month, even if she stays current in her payments, it will take more than 120 years to pay off her share of the restitution order. No Offense, But These 2 Big Retailers Aren't The Cheapest Ad MoneyWise. A charge for forgery was dropped. A look at what really happened with the characters of Andrew Dominiks 2007 Western epic. She does not seem to take it too seriously, telling us that "this is a story about little old coupons.". Illegal couponing doesn't seem like ahigh-levelcrime, but the two women manage to grow rich off their scheme. The counterfeiting scheme was previously featured in the. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Here's the cast and character guide for Queenpins, along with comparisons to some of the characters' counterparts in real life. They don't call it robbery; they prefer "removing" or "separating.". Tellingly, the changes to the details of the real law enforcement and private investigators make them less sympathetic. By But can you live with what you did?. Marilyn Johnson, 54, Robin Ramirez, 40, and Amiko Fountain, 42, were taken into custody, and in a press conference, police said a search warrant served resulted in the seizing of $40 million worth of coupons and $2 million worth of assets from the womens homes, including $240,000 in vehicles, 22 guns, and a 40-foot speedboat. Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. Thats the type of money they had, Sgt. These companies included Hershey, Procter & Gamble, and the Coupon Information Corporation. The two women in the movie, Connie Kaminski (Kristen Bell) and JoJo Johnson (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), are not directly based on any of the real-life women.Kristen Bell's character's background of being a former Olympic race walker who turns to couponing after having no luck getting pregnant (and spending tens of thousands on in vitro treatments) is fictional, as is Kirby Howell-Baptiste's character's unsuccessful efforts to make it as a vlogger. 'These aren't 50 cent off coupons. 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. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. 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. The comedy Queenpins is inspired by the largest coupon scam in U.S. history. In real life, the FBI did get involved, along with the non-profit Coupon Information Center. [4] In September 2020, Kirby Howell-Baptiste joined the cast of the film, replacing Jones, with Ben Stiller joining as an executive producer under his Red Hour Productions banner, with STX Entertainment set to distribute. Bud Miller, who was the Executive Director of the Coupon Information Corporation (CIC), told money-saving columnist Jill Cataldo, "Initial contact was made by a SWAT team removing the front door of a residence by force. 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. The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. Will DiGravio is a Brooklyn-based critic, researcher, and video essayist, who has been a contributor at Film School Rejects since 2018. 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 were also ordered to pay Proctor & Gamble more than $1.2 million. "I am not spending money!" 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. The bare-bones blueprint for the story is accurate; a small group of women make millions selling counterfeit coupons. Bud Miller is thought to have loosely inspired Paul Walter Hauser's character in the movie, Ken Miller. The amount covered all of P&G's losses, for the fake coupons as well as extra manpower needed to deal with the issue. 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). The coupons are being sent through the mail and the FBI does not take it seriouslybecause it's coupons. Except that these ladies sold unauthorized or forged coupons for a fraction of the face value to consumers who used them to get lots and lots of stuff without paying for it. We just wanted to create our own characters.. Howell-Baptiste previously worked with Bell on Veronica Mars and The Good Place. The Arizona coupon ring's leader, Robin Ramirez, rented an aircraft hangar to store her cars, 40-foot speedboat, luxury RV, and various off-road toys. 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. That's not how the world works y'know. Authorities later estimated that the coupon ring cost corporations hundreds of millions of dollars in profit. But nobody really thought it was a big deal, because, you know, its coupons.. Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as JoJo Johnson in QUEENPINS. The amount covered all of P&G's losses, for the fake coupons as well as extra manpower needed to deal with the issue. Queenpins is a 2021 American comedy film written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. The cast, with Kristen Bell and Paul Walter Hauser, is outstanding The Arizona women, Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson and Amiko Fountain, pleaded guilty, Ramirez to. You can't make this stuff up - and the filmmakers didn't have to. In July of 2012, police raided Ramirez's home andseized more than $25 million worth of fake coupons. Though the pair face forty-years-to-life, the companies that they victimized clandestinely press the courts for leniency to avoid bad press, resulting in ten days imprisonment plus one year of probation for JoJo and eleven months incarceration (parole eligible in eight) for Connie. "This is to American companies who produced American products and hire American citizens" (DSA). "We're Robin Hood," the queenpins reassure themselves. There's a reason Bell is making quips about crime. The real Queenpins' mugshots are displayed below. .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. They included coupons for anything from Hershey bars to dog food to diapers. Her ancestry is Polish (mother) and German, English, Irish, and Scottish (father). We dont want people to think they can do this, he said. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. Ame shielded her eyes from the sunlight, "It's just that it's been a while since I've been on duty at daytime.". 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. Eventually, they brought in Phoenix police, who conducted aneight-week investigation. 'Its like Robin Hood,' Howell-Baptiste's character says in the trailer, summing up the coupon fraud plan. 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. After multiple, very expensive fertility treatment failures, she and her IRS auditor husband (Joel McHale, given nothing to do) are estranged and deeply in debt. Lets break it down. Kristen Bell stars as Connie Kaminski, a suburban housewife who just wants to find a solution for the debtburying her and her husband. 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). Ben Stiller serves as an executive producer under his Red Hour Productions banner. Just to make him more sympathetic, in addition to the $2 an hour, he has a pregnant wife who also works at the factory. She has also worked on soundtracks for movies like Abominable and, most recently, He's All That. Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. Credit: Courtesy STX Films "They're also some of the best writers I've ever worked with. director of photography Film Editing by Kayla Emter . The ring used a series of twelve different bank accounts to house their money. Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. Related:Worth Cast & Character Guide: What The Real People Look Like. Of course, the trailer also shows them later living in luxury and boarding private jets. The cruelty-free sacred oil that will anoint Charles as King: Monarch breaks Coronation Day tradition with 'I have nothing to say to you': Father of Mallory Beach - who was killed in a boat crash while Alex Murdaugh's Alex Murdaugh is seen with his prison buzz cut as he starts two life sentences without parole for killing his Family 'mortified' after being thrown out of Mother Goose panto for bringing their baby with them, after venue Is this Britain's most despicable man? Queenpins Writers Balance Comedic Tone with Real-Life Drama in Coupon Caper By: Shanee Edwards Kirby Howell-Baptiste as JoJo Johnson and Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski in QUEENPINS. Thats money in the bank.'. Kristen Anne Bell (born 1980) is an American actress and singer. See production, box office & company info. According to Time magazine, they went undercover and purchased coupons as part of their effort to locate the source. They contact the hacker who stole JoJos identity, Tempe Tina, and are taken to her secret location, where she instructs the pair on how to conceal their operation and secure their money, suggesting they use JoJos cosmetics brand Back 2 Black to disguise their coupon business. They interview people from grocery stores that the ladies frequent, almost all of whom recognize Connie due to her constantly irritating coupon usage, even successfully linking her to the "Savvy Super Saver" website as she uses its slogan while shopping. 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. She was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by seven years probation. 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. Indeed, the movie is inspired by a true story, but just how closely does the film follow the events and people its based on? David Lake, who led the Phoenix Police Departments investigation, told KPHO at the time. Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. They joined forces with several other affected companies and hired private investigators to track the source of the fraudulent coupons. No. But the coupons were high-quality counterfeits. 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. 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. 'Sometimes I would come out with three carts of groceries.'. And I think it comes from loneliness and feeling isolated and kind of under-utilized or under-appreciated. 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. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. [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. Being clever with coupons makes her feel like she is making a financial contribution. 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. Ben Stiller serves as an executive producer under his Red Hour Productions banner. The duo bond on their mission, with Simon sympathizing with Ken's unwavering devotion. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. In a later scene, another postal service worker says they stole 40 million in counterfeit coupons. 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. A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam. I was very excited when I saw on the front page of the script that was based on a true story. In the wake of the bust, all three women pleaded guilty. Aron and I were immediately drawn to the story and had to understand it more, Pullapilly said. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. 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. 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. These are free-item coupons," Phoenix Police Sgt. Click here to get in touch, or for information about advertising on the site. Queenpins' true story is based on the couponing scam designed by three Arizona women: Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson, and Amiko "Amy" Fountain. A real disc jockey inspired Robin Williams classic character. Heres how the real Queenpins counterfeit coupon ring worked: shoppers would purchase the coupons on websites like eBay and/or be invited or referred to the rings personal website, savvyshoppersite.com. I have never purchased coupons from a clipping service or an auction site." The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. While the characters in the 2021 movieQueenpins call out systemic inequality and the downfalls of capitalism, it's unlikely that their real-life counterparts shared these same sentiments. Authorities eventually traced Ramirezs activity back to 2007. 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, directed and written by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, adapts a real-life story and presents it most humorously and entertainingly. As one law enforcement official put it, these were not the fifty-cents-off coupons one might find in their mailbox. Many of the details of the real story have been changed, including the names, but also backstories to make the characters more sympathetic. Capitalism always knows how to win. Woman on Plane: Hey sorry, uhm, would you mind if we switched seats, just for this last part? It's not a seamless fit. This is based on the true story of three women: Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson, and Amiko "Amy" Fountain. This happened after various companies that had been impacted by the bogus coupons hired private investigators to uncover the origins of the coupons. The crime comedy is based on a counterfeit coupon empire that shocked law enforcement. Marilyn Johnson, 54, Robin Ramirez, 40, and Amiko Fountain, 42, were taken into custody, and in a press conference, police said a search warrant served resulted in the seizing of $40 million worth of coupons and $2 million worth of assets from the womens homes, including $240,000 in vehicles, 22 guns, and a 40-foot speedboat. Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. You cant make this stuff up and the filmmakers didnt have to. 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. The story actually began more than a decade ago, when the women started selling their coupons online. But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. The real-life Queenpins: How three Arizona women were busted with $25 MILLION in counterfeit coupons they were selling online - and inspired a new movie starring Kristen Bell Ramirez, Fountain and Johnson are now having to live with what they did. 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. But during Proctor & Gamble'sroutine audits ofthird-party coupon processors, the discovered fakes in circulation and hired private investigators to do some more digging. Vince Vaughnas Simon Kilmurry -Vince Vaughn plays Simon Kilmurry, a U.S. postal inspector who works with Ken to investigate the coupon scam. (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. In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. For the most part, yes. The women sold their counterfeit coupons on various online sites, including eBay and their own website, SavvyShopperSite.com. "We're talking about anywhere from $400 to $600 million in loss," said Officer James Holmes of the Phoenix Police Department. 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. However, everything that's built onto this premise in the movie is almost entirely fictional. The character mainly functions to forward the plot and as the other half of the "buddy-cop" duo with Ken Miller (Paul Walter Hauser). But Aron [Gaudet]and Gita [Pullapilly], as storytellers our writer and directors have added so many specific elements of storytelling to this about what Connies career was, what Jojos career was, their circumstances in life in order to create a story that you would root for, and then it sort of goes into the nonfiction aspect that it sort of wasnt maybe as necessary to take on a ton of the real life characteristics of the women.. The filmmakers are not trying to hurt anybody, or glorify the crime, theyre just trying to make a funny story. But, he cautioned, we cant say that it doesnt matter that a person is only selling coupons when we look at the amount of economic damage that does., Counterfeiters like the three Phoenix women, and the many customers who bought coupons from them, are fully aware that what theyre doing is wrong, Lake believes. Others nabbed coupons for free pet food, diapers, and household goods from as many as 40 major manufacturers, including PepsiCo and Hershey.
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