Over the last dry season our house [and neighbor's as well] suffered lots of major cracks....some a half inch wide and running several feet. No structural cracks, just cosmetic cracking of the hollow blocks from settling during dry season. Our house is 10 yrs old and it was an extreme dry season. I have in the past used a good grade latex wall putty applied with a putty knife, but these new cracks are bigger and more of them, making me think of using some kind of adhesive [cement?] filler, then apply some flexible latex over the filler before repainting.

any other ideas??

A half in wide crack in the hollow blocks would seem to be a little more than cosmetic. Any pictures perchance?

When you say hollow blocks is this the cinder block or the hollow red bricks? If red bricks then use ordinary morter to fill and strengthen.

If cinder blocks short of knocking out the damaged blocks and replacing them can you work cement morter into the cracks at all?

This will give some strength to the repair, problem is the blocks are not strong to begin with. Or as you say you can use the 'cement glue' morter that comes in the small brown bags then as you say finish off with wall filler.

It's worrying I know. Sorry can't be much more help.