On the case to bust them: a supermarkets loss-prevention officer and a US postal inspector, played by Paul Walter HauserandVince Vaughn, respectively. Queenpins is a 2021 American comedy film written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. According to Time magazine, they went undercover and purchased coupons as part of their effort to locate the source. Preferred customers could get even better deals on better coupons. He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. The trios many customers never faced charges but they might have. From writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, the film stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Ba. 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. Ramirez, too, declined to respond to requests for comment. 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. The only real-life individual you could say was better off after the case than before, is the man who cracked the case. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. They enjoy their newfound wealth, only to have their criminal enterprise crumble when they are investigated, raided, and arrested. Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. A quarter of the U.S. will fall inside an extreme heat belt. Whatever Happened to the Real-Life "Queenpins"? The REAL story behind Kristen Bell's upcoming movie Queenpins 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. Watch Queenpins: Bebe Rexha On The Experience She's Had So Far Acting In Her First Film Photos 17 Top cast Edit Kristen Bell Connie Kirby JoJo (as Kirby Howell-Baptiste) Paul Walter Hauser Ken Bebe Rexha Tempe Tina Lidia Porto Mrs. Flores Joel McHale Rick Greta Oglesby Mama Josie Eduardo Franco Greg (Cashier) Ben Sidell Man in Line Nneoma Sampson 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. [5] In October 2020, Bebe Rexha joined the cast of the film. Read about the latest trends in couponing, get some new coupon alerts and keep up with stories across the country and around the world that have to do with coupons, the companies that issue them and the consumers who use them. The character mainly functions to forward the plot and as the other half of the "buddy-cop" duo with Ken Miller (Paul Walter Hauser). They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. 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. 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. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. "We're Robin Hood," the queenpins reassure themselves. You can't make this stuff up - and the filmmakers didn't have to. Ramirez, the ringleader, was the only one sentenced to prison time two years while her counterparts got probation. They may also expose themselves to additional risk by providing their names, home addresses, and financial information to organized crime rings." Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha makes her feature film debut in the Queenpins movie. Autumn Cejer is a Movie/TV Features Writer for Screen Rant. 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. 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. Now, with their story back in the spotlight, theres no escaping it, even nearly ten years later. Her next acting roleisfor the movie Confess, Fletch. What is the Japanese language plot outline for Queenpins (2021)? Kristen Bell stars as Connie Kaminski, a suburban housewife who just wants to find a solution for the debtburying her and her husband. His character represents the law enforcementin charge of tracking down the women responsible. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. After a particularly frustrating day, Connie writes a complaint letter to General Mills about the Wheaties she ate being stale, and soon, she receives a coupon for a free box of cereal. Thecomedy Queenpins features a talented cast coming together to tell a crazy true story. 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. But all were ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million in restitution to Procter & Gamble, just one of the many manufacturers whose coupons they counterfeited and sold. 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. 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). Thats the type of money they had, Sgt. Details of the true story at the heart of Queenpinswere first revealed in July 2012. It might have been more interesting to have lead police officer on the case a woman, as it was in the actual arrest. She also was ordered to pay restitution of up to $5 million. He described digging through trash cans, conducting surveillance, and ultimately kicking in the doors of the three womens homes, where they found a treasure trove of evidence coupons, cash, guns, along with what they later discovered was an airplane hangar filled with sports cars, a fully decked-out RV and a 40-foot speedboat. When we use coupons, we feel like we're getting away with something, like we're smart and special. 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). The Queenpins true story reveals that there were three women involved in the real-life scheme, not two like in the movie. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to clean the money theyve made from selling coupons. The details were first revealed after a Tuesday morning raid in July 2012 by the Phoenix Arizona Police Department. Bell plays former Olympian and bored. It isvery pleasurable in the moment but likely to leave you feeling empty and a little queasy. Written and directed byAron GaudetandGita Pullapilly, Queenpins is about two housewives who created a $40 million coupon scam. However, he doesn't appear to have inspired Vaughn's Kilmurry. Its that simple. But thats just Connie and Jojo. 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. I just decided I really wanted to play the curmudgeon nature of the character. 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. The real Queenpins' mugshots are displayed below. Bell will next be lending her voice to the animated show Do, Re & Mi, as well as appearing in the miniseries The Woman in the House. HBOs Rain Dogs Finds Humor, Despair in the Working-Class Mum at its Center, Berlinale Highlights, Part Three: Hummingbirds, Concrete Valley, Afire, The Oneness of All Things: On Sofia Alaouis Animalia, New York International Childrens Film Festival Opens Window to the World. Dejected and frustrated suburban housewife Connie Kaminski (ne Stevens), a three-time gold-medal-winning former Olympic racewalker, has followed the conventional life path set for her by society ever since she was young. This is based on the true story of three women: Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson, and Amiko "Amy" Fountain. [7], Principal photography began in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A charge for forgery was dropped. Your email address will not be published. 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. [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. Bell has extensive experience in Broadway, television, and film, leading successful TV series like Veronica Mars and The Good Place. She does not seem to take it too seriously, telling us that "this is a story about little old coupons.". Queenpins - Chapter 3 - Elias_Pedro - Archive of Our Own 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. Her ancestry is Polish (mother) and German, English, Irish, and Scottish (father). Capitalism always knows how to win. Thats the type of money they had.. She portrays a fictional computer hacker named Tempe Tina, who helps the two main characters with their coupon scam. The trailer for Queenpinsincludes audio of Bell and Howell-Baptistes characters calling out systemic inequality and likening themselves to Robin Hood. Credit: Courtesy STX Films "They're also some of the best writers I've ever worked with. Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. While the characters in Queenpins are fictional, the crime they came up with is the real deal. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. 'We used undercover and covert operations to make purchases and to identify the three suspects,' Holmes said. On the other side we have faceless and barely acknowledged corporations (always a convenient bad guy) and an LPO (loss prevention officer, a fancy title for private security). See production, box office & company info. No. According to Sgt. 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. On the case to bust them: a supermarket's. I went to the detectives and I said, we have what appears to be a large multimillion-dollar, maybe hundreds of millions of dollars, theft affecting over 240 victims, the now-retired Lake told Coupons in the News. And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. Then-forty-year-old Robin Ramirez led the group, which included Marilyn Johnson, then-fifty-four, and Amiko Amy Fountain, then-forty-two. In the wake of the bust, all three women pleaded guilty. The Coupon Information Corporation got wind of the scheme, and brought it to the attention of investigators, which is how it eventually landed on the desk of Phoenix Police Sergeant David Lake. Credit: Courtesy STX Films. And I think it comes from loneliness and feeling isolated and kind of under-utilized or under-appreciated. The counterfeiting scheme was previously featured in the. Judge Daniel Martin sentenced her to 24 months, as well as seven years probation. 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. The filmmakers, Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, chose not to interview the real Queenpins for the movie. We dont want people to think they can do this, he said. 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. None of the characters are based on the real individuals involved, Gaudet told Coupons in the News. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 Cast And Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From, Worth Cast & Character Guide: What The Real People Look Like, Free Guy Cast, Characters & All Cameos Guide, Q-Force Cast & Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From. The pair are currently starring as crooked coupon buddies in the crime comedy "Queenpins," written and directed by husband-and-wife duo Aron. It's very easy to say their words," says Kristen. How Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste's Real-Life Friendship Led Produced by Music by Siddhartha Khosla . And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. Kristen Bell And Kirby Howell-Baptiste Run A Multi-Million Dollar Coupon Scam In The 'Queenpins' Trailer. And they get a monthly reminder every time they make their latest restitution payment. Fountain and Johnson each pleaded guilty to one charge of counterfeiting. The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. As one law enforcement official put it, these were not the fifty-cents-off coupons one might find in their mailbox. Queenpins' cast of characters also includes familiar faces like Bebe Rexha, Vince Vaughn, and Joel McHale in supporting roles. Here's the cast and character guide for Queenpins, along with comparisons to some of the characters' counterparts in real life. Carly Stern For Dailymail.com 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. I'd call it a buddy film on a couple of levels: The main characters, Connie and Jo, and then the sub-characters, Simon and Ken. These companies included Hershey, Procter & Gamble, and the Coupon Information Corporation. Queenpins (2021) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb 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. And I think it comes from loneliness and feeling isolated and kind of under-utilized or under-appreciated. But nobody really thought it was a big deal, because, you know, its coupons.. Con Kristen Bell, Lidia Porto, Joel McHale, Kirby. 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. In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. In real life, the FBI did get involved, along with the non-profit Coupon Information Center. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). 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. Tempe Tina does not have a real-life counterpart. Queenpins Writers Balance Comedic Tone with Real-Life Drama in Coupon [8], In June 2021, Showtime and Paramount+ acquired U.S. pay TV and streaming rights to the film for about $20 million. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to clean the money theyve made from selling coupons. The FBI has crooks who commit moremanly crimes to track down. 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. Her term of probation was recently extended for another five years, after she fell more than $4,000 behind in her restitution payments. 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 Movie Writer-Directors Aron Gaudet and Gita - Awardsdaily They joined forces with several other affected companies and hired private investigators to track the source of the fraudulent coupons. In February of 2013,Ramirez pleaded guilty to counterfeiting, fraud, and illegal control of an enterprise, though a forgery charge was dropped. The site's critics consensus reads: "Lowbrow humor and inconsistent storytelling undercut Queenpins' talented cast, making this coupon-clipping comedy a disappointingly poor bargain. Ken is the kind of guy who desperately wants to present himself as a stoic, but when alone, screams in rage. And why Bell and co-star Paul Walter Houser didnt talk to the real people behind the characters they play. That's one reasonbeyond saving moneythe scam was so successful. Authorities later estimated that the coupon ring cost corporations hundreds of millions of dollars in profit. The real-life Queenpins thought that the similar name would make their scheme appear more legitimate. 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. Kristen Bell leads a strong cast in 'Queenpins,' in theaters Sept. 10 Many of the details of the real story have been changed, including the names, but also backstories to make the characters more sympathetic. The group would have fake coupons made oversees, including reproductions of legitimate coupons and made-up ones with steep savings. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. They also seized more than $2 million in other assets, including 22 guns, cash, 21 vehicles, and a speed boat. She is also known for her appearances in Killing Eve and Cruella. Queenpinshits theaters on September 10th and will be available to stream via Paramount+ on September 30th. Postal Inspector lead the investigation into their activities, encountering multiple humorous setbacks along the way. The ring used a series of twelve different bank accounts to house their money. [3] In July 2020, it was announced Paul Walter Hauser and Vince Vaughn had joined the cast of the film. But lets be honest: its hard to feel too sorry for the corporations in this instance. "These aren't 50-cent-off coupons. It was then that they learned of the fakes that were in circulation. David Lake, who led the Phoenix Police Departments investigation, told KPHOat the time. 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. Along with paying Procter & Gamble millions of dollars, Ramirez had to serve jail time. At the time of her arrest, investigators discovered Ramirez had four online accounts and 12 bank accounts. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. Indeed, the movie is inspired by a true story, but just how closely does the film follow the events and people its based on? But thats just Connie and Jojo. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. These are free item coupons,' Police Sgt. It is also revealed that Connie, after numerous unsuccessful attempts to conceive following her miscarriage, is finally pregnant through in vitro fertilization. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy Just to make him more sympathetic, in addition to the $2 an hour, he has a pregnant wife who also works at the factory. After complaining about cereal gone stale, the pair receives dozens of freebies, inspiring them to hatch an illegal coupon club scheme. The trail led to the Arizona coupon ring located in Phoenix. Lets break it down. No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. The fake coupon game isnt a joke. We just wanted to create our own characters.. This film wasn't deep, and at times it stretched credibility, but it was fun and engaging. Queenpins - Chapter 1 - Elias_Pedro - Archive of Our Own Bud is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and an industry veteran. 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. 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. 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.
