Block: Hexa Puzzles

Block: Hexa Puzzles (Android)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


Like with most freemium games, they want you to buy games, clues, and unlock special levels. The puzzles range from entertaining to boring or downright frustrating, especially if you don't have any clues (or any way to earn any at the time if you refuse to pay like me). Eventually, got through enough of the levels that it felt repetitive and I didn't care to play any more, so it got deleted in favor of room for other games to play.

The Lego Batman Movie

The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I remember the first Lego movie felt like watching crack (and the second one from Frozen wasn't much better). Just like the others, the humor here is over the top and redundant. Batman especially is overly antagonistic and often downright cruel while supposedly being oblivious to his carelessness and self-centered personality. Not exactly endearing in any sense. Yes, the original Batman was a loner and had security issues of his own leading to the creation of the "masked vigilante." He did, however, appear to have more empathy and concern for Gotham than this rendition portrayed. An interesting watch, but definitely not something I'd necessarily want to watch again in the near future.

Strawberry Shortcake 2: The Berryfest Princess

Strawberry Shortcake 2: The Berryfest Princess (2015)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


We see a little bit of democracy come into play here as Strawberry and Orange end up running against each other to become the berryfest princess. Strawberry also needs a reminder that work is easier to get done, and do right, when you have fun doing it. Some good lessons couched in a cute kid's show with some popular characters from even when I was a child.

In Death 44: Echoes in Death

In Death 44: Echoes in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I finished this late last night as being sick was already keeping me up on top of wanting to know what happened next. Great combination. These books have always been enjoyable, but this one is very aptly named as it probably has the most "echoes" yet seen in a single book paralleling to Eve's own history. She handles it better than ever and proves just how much she's learned and become a "unit" with Roarke as she no longer balks at his help both in the case and with her emotions. She even talks to Mira without any of her usual hesitancy or resistance, very blunt and up front with both of them. It's refreshing and a rather significant marker in how she's developed through the series.

The tail end with Eve, Roarke and Dr. Mira visiting Daphne puts the icing on the cake of "echoes." As usual, we see Eve stands both with the law and with what is right. It's always amazing how she sees the crime scenes in her head and is able to put events together so accurately, even before she gets full confessions/statements out of the individuals. A little curious that Roarke wasn't more familiar with a lot of these names as he's usually very on top of that social scene and seems to know everyone.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read with a lot of teamwork and emotional pulls that kept everything rolling very smoothly.

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Monster High

Monster High (2010)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The episodes are super short, so it's hard to get much out of them. On the other hand, that means that an entire season isn't that long and makes a more cohesive story as a whole since there aren't a dozen stories going on at once. There's always the relationship side drama, but in general the school functions revolve around either those relationships, fear leading (cheer leading for monsters), school sports, or learning about new monsters.

Monster High 14: Welcome to Monster High

Monster High 14: Welcome to Monster High (2016)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


To start off with, this art style is different from both the TV series and the other previous movies. It also completely goes against the previously established story line. According to the very first movie, New Ghoul at School, Frankie doesn't meet any of the other Monster High students until she transfers in as a new student, including Draculaura. This movie would have you believe that the girls were friends in their younger years and actually first came up with the idea of Monster High and even built it themselves (with help from Draculaura's father and Clawdeen's family). It would also suggest that Cleo is the first to attend Monster High and not her sister, despite her talk of "when I was at Monster High" in other movies. There's also the glaringly obvious fact that Draculaura has her powers already at a young age.... yet she's not supposed to get those until the events of Frights, Camera, Action! Cute movie with some good messages for young kids, but really doesn't fit with the rest of the series at all.

Monster High 08: 13 Wishes

Monster High 08: 13 Wishes (2013)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Howleen finds a magic lamp and takes the easy street to becoming popular. Turns out it might not be all that she wished for. Luckily, the main ghoul squad figures out what's going on and turns things around just in the nick of time. Not being popular (and not having Deuce) really seem to take a toll on Chloe, though it's nice to see that she has a worse reaction to potentially losing her boyfriend than her popularity.

Monster High 01: New Ghoul at School

Monster High 01: New Ghoul at School (2010)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The story of Frankie Stein joining Monster High when she's literally 16 days old. It's done in a matching style to the TV series, including the opening credits. For being a central character surrounded by friends, she apparently has a very rough start at school.

Monster High 12: Boo York, Boo York

Monster High 12: Boo York, Boo York (2015)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This song really focuses on the musical aspect as it tells it's story. We see the most of Cleo's sister, Nefera, of any movie or episode previously. As usual when the de Nile family shoes up, Cleo's relationship with Deuce's relationship is questioned and put to the test. We also see our first reference to Ever After High as we see more of the comet occupant who shows up at the end.

Monster High 10: Freaky Fusion

Monster High 10: Freaky Fusion (2014)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Frankie is feeling down that she doesn't know about her scare-history. It makes sense why she doesn't after events play out. How many ghouls can claim going back to the past to meet their grandfather before their parents are even made? Frankie does a lot of teaching of her own, which plays a huge role in how her family will literally come to life. Rather touching how the entire school rallies to save Frankie in the end after she gives everything to save her own friends.

Monster High 09: Frights, Camera, Action!

Monster High 09: Frights, Camera, Action! (2014)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Draculaura goes on a grand adventure as she discovers she's not the true vampire queen as she's been told and decides to find Elissabat, the true missing queen. Succeeding in her task may help her gain her missing vampire powers while also learning something about herself and how important it is to stand up for what is right.

Monster High 07.5: From Fear to Eternity

Monster High 7.5: From Fear to Eternity (2015)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is separate on the movie list, but is actually a short that was included with Scaris: City of Fright. It tells how the ghouls get home.... with a lot of detours thanks to Clawdeen's design book. You get to see some power use, a lot of sights, and a lot of ghostly renamed places.

Monster High 07: Scaris: City of Frights

Monster High 07: Scaris [City of Frights] (2015)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Clawdeen and her friends go to Scaris when she gets an opportunity to study under Madame Ghostier. We meet Skelita and Jinafire for the first time as they compete with Clawdeen for the apprenticeship. Meanwhile the rest of the ghouls hit the town with Rochelle as their guide. Of course it wouldn't be a Monster High adventure without Toralei trying to mess things up. As usual, Abbey is the ghoul who cuts through things with sometimes overly simplified logic (that usually makes the most sense and is hilarious at the same time). Her interactions with Heath especially make her enjoyable (literally fire and ice pairing there).

Monster High 02: Fright On!

Monster High 02: Fright On! (2014)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Headmistress Bloodgood brings Belfry Prep (all-vampire school) and Crescent Moon High (all-werewolf school) into Monster High. The catch is that there's some bad blood between the vampires and werewolves, made all the more obvious as the new students are determined to break up Draculaura and Clawd. Add to the twist, Bloodgood isn't actually Bloodgood through much of the film and Van Hellscream isn't so happy about the merger. Good thing the ghouls are pretty smart and catch on quick.

Monster High 13: Great Scarrier Reef

Monster High 13: Great Scarrier Reef (2016)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Lagoona gets pulled back under the sea in order to save her spiritual sea plant. Things go a little awry when several of her friends get pulled into the whirlpool with her (and one not-so-friend). We meet Kala Mer'ri for the first time as we learn more about Lagoona's past and her group of friends learn what it really is to swim.

Monster High 06: Friday Night Frights

Monster High 06: Friday Night Frights (2012)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It's up to the girls to win the Skulltimate Roller Maze Championship and literally save their school from falling apart. This is made even more difficult by the fact that everyone thinks it's a "boy's sport." They'll find the only known female Skulltimate challenger as they work on training and find another unexpected ally on their biggest rival. Lucky they know the gargoyles (and a certain annoying cat) can't resist trying to cheat. A little confusing with the order movie since this is when Rebecca Steam is first brought back to life, but we also see her in Ghouls Rule.

Monster High 05: Ghouls Rule!

Monster High 05: Ghouls Rule! (2012)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Frankie is determined to prove that "norms" and mosters can get along just fine and celebrate a truly great Halloween together. This is made even more difficult by Van Hellscream's sister originally being out to capture the monsters and frame them for vandalism they didn't commit. With the help of some new friends, prejudice will be reevaluated and a new understanding may be reached between the school and the neighboring town.

Monster High 04: Escape from Skull Shores

Monster High 04: Escape from Skull Shores (2012)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Frankie takes center stage as the students get stranded on Skull Shores with a human who wants to exploit their differences and catch another monster on the island. Monster High gets two new students out of the ordeal, one of which will be sticking near Frankie for a good while from the sound of things.

Monster High 03: Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love?

Monster High 03: Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love? (2012)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Draculaura is one of the main characters (or "ghouls") of the series. Her birthday is literally Valentines Day (apparently the holiday was created for her and named after her then-boyfriend because of her birthday, or so the movie claims). This birthday is supposed to have some number significance, leaving a lot of pressure on her boyfriend and friends to create the perfect birthday party.... which all nearly goes down the drain when her ex shows up at school (the one who created the holiday). It's a lot of love drama at the core.